A D.C. public works supervisor has been charged with taking bribes in exchange for letting people avoid performing community service, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court. Eric A. Shannon, 41, a sanitation foreman who oversaw first-time offenders assigned to clean the streets, cut grass and remove graffiti each weekend, is accused of taking money and letting at least six offenders leave without performing their service. Shannon resigned from the D.C. Department of Public Works last week, according to a spokeswoman with the agency.
In June, Shannon asked for and accepted $400 from one offender in return from providing a signed letter on Department of Public Works stationary falsely stating that the individual had completed 88 hours of community service over the next five weekends.
The first-time community service program is run by the D.C. Office of the Attorney General criminal division. Under the program, the offenders agreed to perform the work and the attorney general will dismiss the offender’s pending case.
Shannon was charged with bribery by a public official in court papers Thursday. He was charged by information, which is usually an indication of a guilty plea when a defendant waives his right to a grand jury, court officials said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Lynch declined comment at this stage of the proceedings, citing court rulings. Defense attorney Danielle Jahn declined to comment.
