East McKeesport Official Arrested, Faces Bribery Charge

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- An East McKeesport official has been arrested and is facing bribery charges following a lengthy investigation that began in May of 2009.

Authorities say 48-year-old Ronald Bachner was taken into custody Wednesday on charges of bribery in official and political matters and official oppression.

Bachner, who was the code enforcement officer in East McKeesport Borough, was later arraigned on those charges.

According to investigators, Bachner charged a resident with an East McKeesport ordinance code violation and is accused of later offering "to withdraw the charge for cash payment," identifying it as a "borough donation."

Authorities say the resident then called state police and that's when the investigation began.

Investigators say Bachner is accused of withdrawing the charge two days after receiving payment from the resident, who agreed to wear a recorder during the encounter.

State police and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation-Organized Crime Unit conducted the investigation.

Stay with KDKA for more on this developing story.

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