A well-known Ethiopian business man in the Washington DC area acknowledged in federal court last Wednesday that he distributed more than $250,000 in bribes in a scheme to obtain lucrative licenses to operate cab companies in the District and to influence city legislation that would benefit his business.
Yitbarek Syume, 53, who has been held in the D.C. jail since his arrest in October 2009, pleaded guilty to bribery, conspiracy to commit bribery, and mail fraud. He could be sentenced to up to nine years in prison under federal guidelines.
Syume told U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman through an Amharic interpreter that he wanted “to apologize to my family, to the Ethiopian community and to this court.” [read more]
11 thoughts on “Ethiopian businessman pleads guilty to bribing DC officials”
I Heard about it before and what he did was morally wrong but his nine year sentence is a bit hash, no matter what he is one of ours and he may have
family and kids needs him badly .
This kind of ignorant and extremely self centered people should earn what they deserve. These ar the kind of people who marred Ethiopia and turned it hell on our good earth. They came to part of the world where opportunity knocks at doors and yet these cowards did’t want to play by the rules of laws – because they are wicked and impotent that they believed they couldn’t make it competing in the realm of th rules that treat everyone equaly. They shouldn’t be allowed to turn America hell too.
What unfortunate situation! I feel sorry for him but he should have never gotten involved in this kind of unlawful practice. Let this be a learning lesson to all Ethiopians not to be victims of woyanes setup. Unfortunately, even in Ethiopia bribery has gone way out of hand and have become an everyday practice. Poor Ethiopians can’t get anything done unless they pay money for every little thing they need done. I know this Ethiopian who is now living in Las Vegas that made so much money in Ethiopia by refusing to do any kind of work for his small town people without receiving bribery. You know who you are, instead of helping your people and your small village, you robbed them like woyanes. I hope all the money you and other hoodlums have taken illegally from the poor Ethiopians, turn into dust and live in shame for the rest of your lives. I hope all the money you took illegally from the poor Ethiopians turn into dust and live in shame the rest of your life.
@Anonymous
what is this news has to do with woyanne??????
Mr. Leon Swain was a spy. He kissed a white ass.
Seyoum has totally forgot the famous Ethiopian quote “SEW MAMEN KEBRO NEW”.
We pardon you Seyoum, you did it for your 36 country men. You will prevail. African Americans have always served for the whites since slavery. We beat the whites’ ass in Adwa. We Ethiopians will beat your butt once again.
This is the first time that I read any negative news reported regarding Diaspora residents in this sits. Not that I have any crave for such news-far be it from me-I mentioned it because of the need to be consistent in our reporting. Crime is crime we can’t white wash it and say
Yes it can happen. We need to be even handed in our judgment and denunciation of evil acts of men. As much as I hate what is being done to the country, and denounce the perpetrators, I have to be consistent in doing the same to those who transgress the law. The way to go for ward is to follow strict application of reward and punishment, respectively, to both exemplary citizens and bad figures. . This, I believe, is the appropriate path to build a democratic society, and media outlets can play positive role by handling this matter even handedly. As much I dislike the Weyane style of robbery, (and have denounced this practice in the past) I also strongly disapprove this odious act by these Diaspora business men. It is not because they don’t know that they are caught in the very act, but greed, irresponsibility and selfishness on their part that brought this disgrace.
Finally, we must root out these types of fellows from any responsible community affair positions they might have asumed.Ethiopia need upright citizens that are willing to sacrifice to the cause of their country and who are willing to stand out among the crowed to make difference. The future Ethiopia needs morally upright citizens who are willing to eradicate bribery and corruption through the formation of democratic institutions in the country. The new Ethiopia need these kinds citizens, not the ones who pretend to be upright in the in the public eye, but pursue a dark private life.
What an ignorant stupid group of people they are. They think they are back in Africa, where people are bought and sold easily without any question and get out away with murder. The place they came from is a land that can be able to buy babies to the highest bidder as well as lands, including the people who reside on it are bought and sol. I guess, these damn ass losers felt that it can be done here. They forgot where they are. Let them throw the book at these losers.
To no. 4. EthioAfroAmerican says:
Are you on drugs or something? An Ethiopian never talks like this. You are anti Ethiopian element pretending to be Ethiopian. I have to post this comment to let non ethiopian readers know that you are undiciplined, non Ethiopian and probably from the neighbouring countries. Yitbarek’s case has nothing to do do with whites, blacks or Adwa. He is simply a hoodlum and a loser, a parasite that is really menace to society. Like they say, a good riddance. Probably he will be clean when he gets out of jail in few years. Don’t defend a man who has cheated so many people and tarnished the name of his community. There are spies, FBI and the whole nine yards but they will get you only when you are dirty. They didn’t frame him. He was already dirty. We Ethiopians do respect African Americans. Yes so much damage has been done to separate the two brotherly communities. With out mentioning names I can tell a story on how Ethiopian historical books used to be destroyed and torn apart at the library of congress by some who have hatred on Ethiopia. And you may be one of them. African Americans have tried but were stopped by the U.S. government from participating in Ethio Italy war during the second world war. There were nurses and doctors who went to help. One of the colonels from the Tuskegee airmen went to Ethiopia to help organize the Ethiopian airforce, though he had to return upon disagreement with a sweedish airfoce trainer. Some thing went wrong some where and I will leave that rest of the story that caused the separtion between the two brotherly community for some other time. So stop insulting the great African Americans for the sake of one useless man. You are never better than the cowards who shoot at soldiers from behind their women’s skirt.
To 6. Tola
Don’t lie, I know this loser and he is not memeber of Ginbot 7. Not that I care for ginbot 7 but I am trying to stop your white lies.
[Tezibt]#9
You have it wrong this time on both counts; in the first place, I don’t go by a name Tola.Just wondering though, what makes you think this person is Tola? Second, you seem to suggest I oppose G-7. Had you honestly read what I put before you it will be clear my concern is this-We need not shy to criticize and if need be even bar citizens from public responsibility when they are found wrong. That I think is the essence of my message and consern.For your info. I am not political activist, but only have concern for future Ethiopia. I must say, though, I strongly admire Birtukan and Serkalem.Just like you I care less for G-7, but I am not here on a negative campaign against it.
TO no. 10. Anon
I have no idea what happened and I am sorry. I must have got the name tola some where in here. I thought no. 6 was tola. God knows what happened to it. Any ways, thanks for your civility. I never meant to respond to you at all.