D.C. Environment Workers Accused of Taking Bribes

Two employees of the D.C. Department of the Environment have been accused of accepting $20,000 in bribes to overlook alleged environmental violations at a southwest Washington construction site.

Gregory Scott, 59, of Windsor Mill, Md., and Joe Parrish, 51, of Temple Hills, Md., were arrested Thursday when allegedly demanding and accepting a $5,000.

According to documents charging the two men, Scott showed up at the construction site in mid-August to conduct an evaluation and told construction managers that he saw violations in the handling of hazardous asbestos material at the site.

Scott and Parrish later allegedly said that unless they were paid they would submit a report that could result in fines of between $280,000 and $300,000. Prosecutors said they accepted $15,000 in bribes prior to the $5,000 Thursday.

If convicted, the two face up to 15 years in prison.