Abbas Shilleh, 47, pleaded guilty to one count of paying a bribe as a way to secure a contract to operate the valet parking concession at the Soboba Casino.

A Diamond Bar man pleaded guilty today in federal court to paying $50,000 in bribes to the former chairman of the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, who is scheduled to be sentenced himself later this year on bribery and other charges, said Thom Mrozek, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Abbas Shilleh, 47, who along with two family members is the owner of California Parking Services, pleaded guilty to one count of paying a bribe as a way to secure a contract to operate the valet parking concession at the Soboba Casino near San Jacinto, Mrozek said in a news release.

Shilleh is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean D. Pregerson June 6 and faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
Shilleh admitted that he paid the bribes to Robert Salgado Sr., the former longtime chairman of the Soboba tribe.

During today’s appearance in United States District Court, Shilleh admitted that he paid Salgado $50,000 in the form of three checks over a two-week period in late 2006 and early 2007. California Parking Services received a contract in March 2007 from the Soboba Band to provide valet parking services at the Soboba Casino, Mrozek said.

In a plea agreement filed in federal court, prosecutors and Shilleh have asked Judge Pregerson to impose a sentence of three years’ of probation, to include eight months of home detention, 500 hours of community service and a $100,000 fine.

Salgado pleaded guilty to bribery and tax charges in October and he is scheduled to be sentenced by Pregerson on March 21.