BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Four-plus years after high-profile raids at Jim Mazz Auto, the owner and his son pleaded guilty to bribing police officers into funneling business their way.
James Mazzariello, 62, and Adam Mazzariello, 37, pleaded guilty on Tuesday. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Mazzariellos offered bribes to police officers at least 19 times.
Investigators vouch that from 2009 to 2012, Jim Mazz Auto earned over $43,000 by bribing officers. The payments for bringing in the business totaled about $500, and were made by tow truck drivers.
"The tow truck drivers were paying police officers $20 per car that they were able to tow following an accident," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell Ippolito. "Although that doesn't sound like a large amount, the number of accidents that occurred in the City of Buffalo was enormous, basically."
Both Mazzariellos face up to five years in prison. Jim Mazzariello also faces an additional three years for tax fraud.
No charges have been filed against anyone in the Buffalo Police Department at this time.