LA fire inspector suspected of bribery

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LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- A Los Angeles Fire Department inspector has been arrested on suspicion of accepting a $500 bribe during a sting operation, authorities said.

Dennis Archie, 58, was arrested Monday, LA Police Officer Karen Smith said. Archie is accused of demanding and accepting the bribe from the operator of a board and care facility in exchange for signing paperwork to authorize changes at the facility, the Los Angeles Times reported.

LAPD detectives set up the sting after fire department officials told police that Archie, a decorated veteran fire department officer, was allegedly seeking payments for signing off on inspection approvals, officials told the Times.

LA Fire Department spokesman Ron Myers said the department would assist in the investigation.

"When the facts become available we will relay them to the public," Myers said.

The arrest is one of the first cases to be developed by the department's newly established internal affairs unit. The Professional Standards Bureau contacted the police department after learning that Archie had allegedly demanded a bribe.

Archie, who was promoted from paramedic to fire inspector in 2006, was being held in lieu of $20,000 bail, police said.