Former Homeland Security employee heads to prison

William Mann is sentenced to 46 months for taking bribes and falsifying immigration documents.

A former supervisor at the Homeland Security Department begins his prison sentence later this month for taking bribes from foreign restaurant employees seeking to extend their stay in the United States.

William Mann, a former Customs and Border Protection manager at Midway International Airport in Chicago, heads to federal prison Oct. 28 for 46 months after pleading guilty earlier this year to conspiracy, bribery and immigration fraud. Mann received bribes totaling $28,500 from several restaurant employees and their spouses to alter a law enforcement database and falsify immigration and travel documents allowing them to illegally extend their stay in the country.

A co-defendant, Rogerio Charu, part owner and general manager of the now-closed Sal E Carvao restaurant in various Illinois locations, was indicted for allegedly aiding and abetting Mann. Charu is a fugitive and authorities believe he is in Brazil.