Former DeKalb deputy chief admits to taking bribes

ATLANTA – A former deputy police chief pleaded guilty to conspiring to take bribes while employed by DeKalb County police, the FBI said.

Donald E. Frank, 47, of Monroe, “abdicated his oath as a sworn police officer for personal financial gain,” Brian D. Lamkin, special agent in charge, FBI Atlanta, said in a news release. Frank faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced.

Federal authorities say Frank conspired with former DeKalb Police Lt. Willie Daren Durrett to accept money from Amin Budhwani, 46, of Atlanta, a local businessman. In exchange, the officers took “actions” on Budhwani’s behalf, including threatening a business partner, the FBI said in a news release.

“Officers are sworn to uphold the law and protect the community,” United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said in a news release. “But this defendant sold his badge and acted as a private citizen’s personal enforcer in exchange for cash. Other dedicated DeKalb County officers brought this rogue police officer and his co-conspirator to the FBI’s attention.”

Budhwani previously pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. A case against Durrett is pending.