The former El Paso area assistant director for OSHA was accused early this summer of taking bribes, according to the Associated Press. Authorities said he directed businesses looking to reduce OSHA fines to a job-training company.

Mario Martin Solano Jr. was accused of steering employers seeking to reduce their OSHA fines to a local company for employee job-related training. The indictment further alleges that the company owner paid Solano money for these training referrals, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's office said in a written statement.

Jose Hector Campos, the company owner, and his former son-in-law Elias Casillas, who worked for OSHA under Solano, also were indicted. Investigators said that in 2002 Campos paid Solano and Casillas. Lawyers for the men said they are innocent.