Ex-Caltrans engineer charged with accepting bribes from contractors

SACRAMENTO — Federal prosecutors in Sacramento have charged a former Caltrans engineer with accepting bribes from contractors during his tenure with the department, according to court records.

Choon Yong, who also goes by Keith Yong, was charged Mar. 16 with bribery and engaging in a bid rigging conspiracy. The charging documents allege that Yong accepted bribes from two contractors who wanted to obtain government contracts to improve or repair roads.

Prosecutors moved to seize $14,730 in cash they said Yong accepted in bribes. The conspiracy charge covers a four-year timespan, starting in 2015 and ending in 2018. The bribery count alleges Yong accepted cash from the contractors in 2018.

According to public records, Yong worked as a Senior Transportation Engineer for Caltrans until 2020. In his last full year on the job, 2019, he received $160,230 in pay and benefits.

Yong has not yet been assigned his first court appearance to enter a plea, according to court records.