Former Millbrae Consultant Sentenced for Federal Bribery Scheme

Rodolfo Pada received over a year in prison for accepting cash, meals, and other benefits while working in Millbrae

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A former San Francisco building inspector who later worked for a Millbrae consulting firm has been sentenced to just over a year in federal prison for his role in a long-running bribery scheme. Investigators say Rodolfo Pada accepted cash, meals, and other benefits over many years, including thousands of dollars while employed in Millbrae.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about corruption and abuse of power within government agencies and private firms that work closely with them. The sentencing of Pada sends a message that such behavior will be prosecuted, though questions remain about the broader culture and systems that allowed the bribery scheme to persist for so long.

The details

Pada was found to have accepted cash, meals, and other benefits over many years as part of a long-running bribery scheme while working as a San Francisco building inspector. After leaving that role, he later worked for a Millbrae consulting firm, where he continued to receive thousands of dollars in illicit payments. Pada must report to prison by late May to serve his sentence of just over a year.

  • Pada accepted bribes over many years while working as a San Francisco building inspector.
  • Pada continued receiving thousands of dollars in illicit payments while employed at a Millbrae consulting firm.
  • Pada was sentenced in March 2026 and must report to prison by late May.

The players

Rodolfo Pada

A former San Francisco building inspector who later worked for a Millbrae consulting firm and was sentenced to over a year in federal prison for his role in a long-running bribery scheme.

Millbrae Consulting Firm

The firm that employed Pada after he left his role as a San Francisco building inspector, where he continued to receive thousands of dollars in illicit payments as part of the bribery scheme.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Rodolfo Pada out on bail pending his prison sentence.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing concerns about corruption and abuse of power within government agencies and private firms that work closely with them, raising questions about the broader culture and systems that allowed such bribery schemes to persist for so long.