Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Dirty Restaurant? Don't Bribe The Health Inspector!
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jun 4, 2011
Modified Jun 4, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jun 4, 2011
Modified Jun 4, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
How much is a good letter grade worth to a restaurant? Apparently, if they are smart, more than $300 bucks. After not making any arrests for attempts to bribing health inspectors in 2009, the city's Department of Investigations busted four people in 2010 and have already made four more arrests this year!
This past week alone the city busted three Queens and Bronx restaurant owners for offering bribes to undercover investigators posing as health inspectors. Vasko Todoroski and Isidro Polcano were both arrested Thursday for offering $300 for good grades for their joints (International Bake Shop in Glendale, and Polcano's restaurant in East Elmhurst, respectively). Themistoklis Katehis, meanwhile, was arrested Wednesday for trying to make violations at Bronxwood's Allerton Restaurant disappear for no less than $170.
$300 or less for a good grade? No wonder these guys didn't get those As.
Tagged
Bribers
bribery
Department of Investigations
doh
letter grades
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Oct 19, 2026
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .