Article from: www.thenewspaper.com/news/09/965.asp

2/17/2006

Canada: ACS, Cops Charged in Camera Bribery Scandal
Bribery investigation of Edmonton, Canada's photo enforcement contract leads to charges against two officers and Dallas camera vendor ACS.

The Alberta, Canada Department of Justice on Wednesday formally charged photo enforcement vendor Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) with bribing public officials over a six year period between January 1, 1998 and June 14, 2004. ACS Public Sector Solutions had offered an all-expense-paid luxury trip to Las Vegas and the use of a Harley Davidson motorcycle to Edmonton Police Service Staff Sergeant Kerry Nisbet and Detective Thomas Bell, securing their support for the deal giving ACS a 20-year no-bid contract worth $90 million to run the city's lucrative red light camera and photo radar program.

Nisbet and Bell were also charged with breach of trust and accepting a secret commission following the conclusion of an investigation that began on March 22, 2004. Breach of trust carries a maximum sentence of fourteen years in prison, while accepting a secret commission carries a five year sentence.

Despite the bribery scandal, the Edmonton Police Commission's acting chairman says the force will continue to use photo enforcement and the services of ACS. A February 26 meeting has been scheduled to discuss options.

The police officers charged will appear in court on February 22 and ACS will answer for its actions in court on March 27.