USAO, Western District of New York - Press Release

Summary

On December 29, 2011, James H. Wood, former Supervisory Highway Safety Specialist, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Buffalo, New York, was sentenced to serve 18 months in Federal prison in U.S. District Court, Buffalo, New York, for soliciting bribes from Canadian trucking companies.  In addition, following his period of incarceration, Mr. Wood will serve 24 months of supervised release and was also ordered to pay a $41,300 forfeiture and a special assessment of $100 to the Government.  

During June 2011, Mr. Wood previously pled guilty to bribery charges and admitted that from 2008 through 2011, he requested and accepted bribes from consultants working for Canadian trucking companies   In exchange, Mr. Wood postponed safety inspections and ensured those companies would receive satisfactory ratings.  In addition, Mr. Wood provided the consultants with internal FMCSA information including lists of other trucking companies scheduled to be audited.     

Subsequent to his arrest, FMCSA terminated Mr. Wood's employment.  This investigation was conducted jointly with the FBI.