(USAO, OH) Criminal charges were filed in federal court alleging cash bribes and kickbacks between contractors and a Cleveland Housing Network official, as well as improper lead abatement practices at several renovation projects, law enforcement officials said.

Named in the four-count criminal information are: James Todt, 49, of Brecksville; Lizandro Orellana, 56, of Cleveland; Chris Peterson, 42, of Macedonia, and Modern Construction Group LLC.

Todt worked at the Cleveland Housing Network between 2005 and 2014, where his duties included supervising inspectors and project managers, as well as awarding CHN contracts on various projects for the non-profit community development organization. Orellana owned and operated Modern Construction Group LLC and Peterson owned and operated Top Notch Construction, according to the information.

Todt corruptly solicited and accepted things of value from Orellana and Peterson between 2009 and 2014. Peterson paid Todt up to $10,000 in cash in exchange for CHN work that Todt awarded to Top Notch, according to the information.

On numerous occasions, Todt provided Orellana with CHN’s internal cost projections for various projects, which were used to evaluate a contractor’s bid.

Orellana paid another person to do $3,650 worth of electrical work at Todt’s home in November 2012. In October 2013, Todt asked Orellana for assistance building a...