Joseph Serrano, 62, was charged and pleaded guilty Thursday to a felony bribery count, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret L. Carter.
Carter says Serrano admitted asking the store operator to pay money in exchange for information and a promise he would try to keep the store in business. Serrano told the owner that he controlled another member of the City Council and asked for $1,500.
After making the payment, Carter said the store operator became an FBI informant and began recording conversations.
Serrano, who has been on the City Council since March 2003, faces a maximum sentence of 10 years.
