Ex-Santa Fe Springs Councilman Pleads Guilty To Bribery Charges

SANTA FE SPRINGS (CBS) — A former Santa Fe Springs councilman pleaded guilty Monday to a bribery charge.

Joseph Serrano Sr., 62, confirmed in court that he accepted more than $11,000 from a marijuana dispensary operator in exchange for information about the city's plans to regulate pot shops.

The store operator became an FBI informant and started recording conversations with Serrano after paying him money, according to court documents.

Serrano now faces a possible 10 years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Carter said as part of a plea bargain, prosecutors would ask for no more than 36 months in prison and that the restitution be no more than $10,000.

Serrano is expected to be sentenced October 15.

(©2012 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)