Investigation * Canada - Bribery attempts alleged over truck safety

Canadian DOT inspector: 'The guy offered me $1,000 cash right now to forget the situation and let him continue on his way'

Winnipeg,MAN,CAN -CBC News -Mar 28, 2011: -- Some truckers and the companies they work for are willing to pay a lot of money to make safety inspectors look the other way, a CBC investigation has discovered... The FBI alleges in court documents that James Wood, the supervisor of the Buffalo field office of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration took money from the Canadian consultant in exchange for delaying a safety audit of a trucking company... Wood allegedly took thousands over a period of two years in bribes, according to the FBI, who engaged in a covert operation that led to charges in the case. He has pleaded not guilty... U.S. Department of Justice spokeswoman Trini Ross says the allegations against Wood are serious... U.S. prosecutors have refused to identify the companies the consultant represented. If convicted, Wood, 44, faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000 or both... But a Canadian inspector who works for a provincial department of transportation says attempted bribery is nothing out of the ordinary. He agreed to speak with CBC News on the condition of anonymity... (Photo from CBC: A semi-trailer unit is shrouded in blowing snow just outside Winnipeg on Monday)