Ex-Pontiac Fire Chief Accused Of Taking Bribes

(Pontiac-WWJ) Pontiac's former fire chief, Jeffrey Hawkins, is facing charges of accepting bribes to keep a local bar open despite fire code violations.

Hawkins turned himself in and has been arraigned in district court on bribery charges. He's free on five thousand dollars personal bond and is due back in court Nov. 22.

Hawkins spent 22 years with the Pontiac fire department, including 11 as chief. He retired last year.

It's alleged that Hawkins accepted a $500 dollar payment in 2009 from the owner of Little  David's Island Bar for allowing it to remain open despite code violations. He's also accused of taking a $500 dollar bribe from an undercover FBI investigator.

(Copyright 2011 WWJ Newsradio 950. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press Contributed To This Report)