Three indicted in bridge bribery case

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A federal grand jury has indicted three men in a bribery case involving an Oklahoma highway bridge painting project.<br/><br/>According to the indictment, from July through November

Thursday, June 17th 2004, 5:03 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A federal grand jury has indicted three men in a bribery case involving an Oklahoma highway bridge painting project.

According to the indictment, from July through November 2002, the three defendants and their Houston-based business paid bribes in return for lax oversight to an inspector hired by the state to supervise bridge paint jobs and ensure that proper blasting and disposal of waste occurred.

Named in the indictment were Drossos J. Tiliakos, 59, of Tarpon Springs, Fla., and John D. Tiliakos, 36, and Nikoleta M. Tiliakos, 30, both of Houston. They are officials of J&N International Coatings, Inc., which also was named in the indictment.

The indictment said the bribes were paid to an inspector for KTA-Tator Inc., which was hired by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to supervise the bridge work.

The indictment alleges a conspiracy to dispose of blasting waste from the Interstate 44 and Independence bridge painting project in a landfill that lacked the proper permit for handling hazardous amounts of lead.

A conspiracy charge against Drossos Tiliakos carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The charges against the other two individuals carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The company, which also is charged with conspiracy, faces up to a $50,000 fine for each day of improper waste disposal.