USDOJ: Missouri State Representative Talibdin El-Amin Sentenced on Federal Bribery Charges

For Immediate Release
January 6, 2010 United States Attorney's Office
Eastern District of Missouri
Contact: (314) 539-7719

Missouri State Representative Talibdin El-Amin Sentenced on Federal Bribery Charges

ST. LOUIS—Talibdin El-Amin, a Member of the Missouri House of Representatives for the 57th Missouri District has been sentenced to 18 months in prison on federal bribery charges, Acting United States Attorney Michael W. Reap announced today. In addition to his prison sentence, he was also ordered to pay $2100 in restitution.

According to court documents, and statements made in court at the time of the plea by Assistant United States Attorney Hal Goldsmith, during March 2009, El-Amin solicited a cash bribe from a local businessman, referred to as John Doe, who had approached El-Amin for help in dealing with St. Louis city officials relative to the operations of his gasoline station located within the 57th Missouri District. During May, 2009, El-Amin took a bribe consisting of several cash payments totaling $2100 from John Doe in exchange for promises to intervene on John Doe’s behalf with St. Louis city officials, including a city department head.

The cash payments were made to El-Amin by John Doe at El-Amin’s office on Union Boulevard in North St. Louis. The cash payments included $500 on May 1, 2009; $600 on May 8, 2009; $500 on May 15, 2009; and $500 on May 21, 2009. El-Amin solicited an additional $500 cash for himself, as well as $1000 cash purportedly to be paid as a bribe to a city department head.

"Mr. El-Amin threw away his political career for $2100," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Roland J. Corvington. "We hope this serves as a clear message that public servants are elected to serve the people, not themselves."

Talibdin El-Amin, 38, of St. Louis, pleaded September 24, 2009, to one felony count of soliciting and accepting a bribe. He today for sentencing before United States District Judge Henry Autrey.

Reap commended the work on the case by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Assistant United States Attorney Hal Goldsmith, who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s office.