Bribery trial ends in conviction

[Judi Lynn]

Aug. 19, 2005, 6:38AM

Bribery trial ends in conviction
Two ex-Houston officials included in case against Ohio consultant
By DAN FELDSTEIN
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

The Cleveland, Ohio, businessman accused of bribing two Houston officials was convicted on 36 felony counts in Akron on Wednesday, including bribery-related crimes in four cities.

Federal investigators spent years pursuing Nate Gray, 47, a well-known consultant who was close to Cleveland's former mayor. In the process, they snagged the Houston officials and vowed the investigation is not over here.

Oliver Spellman, who served as former Mayor Lee Brown's chief of staff, and Monique McGilbra, who was the city's building services director, both pleaded guilty to accepting bribes to help Gray or his consulting clients get business in Houston.
They testified against Gray to reduce their sentences.

Gray was accused of offering cash and gifts to officials in Cleveland, East Cleveland, New Orleans and Houston. He or his clients would get government contracts. Prosecutors recorded nearly 50,000 phone conversations and video of Gray slipping cash to the mayor of East Cleveland.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/3317015
(Free registration required)