Chicago building inspector pleads guilty to asking for bribe

A former Chicago building inspector admitted in federal court Thursday that he asked for a bribe in exchange for allowing renovation work without a permit.

Robert Uribe, 55, of Frankfort asked the owner of a two-story building for $300 to allow the owner to renovate the building without a permit, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

In a recorded conversation in November 2015, Uribe told the owner that unless he gave him “appreciation,” he would shut down the renovation work, federal prosecutors said. That appreciation was worth $300, Urbibe told the owner.

A few days later, the owner gave Uribe $300 in a meeting at the building, but recorded the meeting, prosecutors said.

Uribe pleaded guilty to one count of attempted extortion under color of official right, and faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 when he is sentenced at 11 a.m. Feb. 2, according to prosecutors.