PRESS RELEASE

Former Missouri State Highway Patrol Employee Accused of Accepting Bribes

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

For Immediate Release

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Missouri

ST. LOUIS – A former supervisory motor vehicle inspector with the Missouri State Highway Patrol was indicted in U.S. District Court Wednesday and accused of taking cash bribes.

Larry S. Conrad’s primary duty was to perform motor vehicle inspections at the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Troop C facility in south St. Louis County and sign and certify forms required for motor vehicle owners to apply for original Missouri Certificates of Title.

The indictment accuses Conrad of taking cash bribes ranging from $40 to $160 to pass vehicles, often falsifying certificates to indicate no apparent damage when there was visible damage to the vehicle being inspected. Conrad had owners place the cash bribes in the driver’s side door pocket, the indictment says. Conrad also took bribes ranging up to $300 to sign and certify inspection forms for vehicles which he never saw or inspected, the indictment says.

Conrad, 67, was indicted on one felony charge of using a facility in interstate commerce, a cellular telephone, to facilitate his bribery scheme which was unlawful under Missouri statutes prohibiting acceding to corruption and official misconduct.

Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case was investigated by the FBI, with the cooperation of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith is prosecuting the case.

Updated December 14, 2022

U.S. Department of Justice Press Release