Red-light camera firm bribed officials in 13 states, says fired sales exec

A fired executive from a national red-light camera vendor claimed in an Arizona lawsuit that the company provided lavish gifts and bribes to government officials in 13 states to secure new contracts.

The New Jersey Star-Ledger reported Saturday that the bombshell allegations made a 13-page counterclaim by Aaron Rosenberg, former nationwide lead salesman for Redflex Traffic Systems of Phoenix, claimed that the firm “bestowed gifts and bribes on ... officials in dozens of municipalities within, but not limited to the following states: California, Washington, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Florida, New Jersey, Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia.”

Rosenberg claimed Redflex bribed local officials with meals, golf outings and tickets to professional football and baseball games, calling the expenses "entertainment” or “celebratory tokens.”

Redflex fired Rosenberg in 2013 after Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel banned the firm from competing to retain a $100 million red-light camera contract with the city, after reporting by the Chicago Tribune uncovered allegations of bribery and corruption. Three Redflex executives also resigned.