A former chief of staff to D.C. Councilman Jim Graham pleaded guilty Friay to illegally accepting cash from members of the taxi cab industry and making false statements.
Loza, 45, faces eight to 14 months behind bars and a fine ranging from $2,000 to $20,000, according to federal sentencing guidelines, prosecutor said.
Loza admitted that he accepted $1,500 in cash payments in exchange for pushing legislation for a hybrid vehicle exception to a moratorium on new taxi cab company licenses. The legislation was introduced by Graham.
Graham has not been charged and has denied any wrongdoing.
Taxi cab industry representative Abdul Kamus, 54, of Silver Spring, has already pleaded guilty to bribery and other charges in connection with his contacts with Loza. Kamus is awaiting sentencing.
The FBI began its investigation in 2007 after the former head of the D.C. taxi commission reported that taxi cab company investors tried to bribe him. Leon J. Swain Jr., a former police officer, acted undercover in the investigation that led to the arrests of 37 more people. Fifteen of the defendants have pleaded guilty and 22 are awaiting trial.
