Contractor gets 33 months in prison

A contractor convicted of bribing a Chicago building inspector to get zoning approval for changes in three buildings has been sentenced to 33 months in prison.

Sorin Adrian Oros of Glenview was accused of paying $12,000 to David W. Johnson for assistance in obtaining zoning approvals for three building projects. Johnson testified for the prosecution at Oros' trial.

In addition to prison, U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve ordered Oros to perform 200 hours of community service and fined him $500. He will begin his prison term in September.

Defense attorney Steven Weinberg said he sought probation for Orso, noting the jury acquitted him of a conspiracy count.

Oros was caught up in the federal Operation Crooked Code investigation into Chicago's Buildings Department. According to officials, two dozen individuals, 15 of them city employees, have been charged. Seven, including Oros, have been convicted.