BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Months after former Erie County Health Inspector Timothy Bean admitted to faking a number of restaurant inspections, he was sentenced to three-years probation. Bean will also have to serve 200-hours community service.
It was an emotional Thursday morning in Erie County Court.
Friends and family tearfully sat, listening to Bean's attorney, Terry Connors, describe how he admitted mistakes to his daughters. Connors says Bean took responsibility for falsifying those restaurant reports last year.
His children responded, Connors says, through letters to the court.
"She tells the court about how candid [Bean] was with her and how painful it was for him, to admit his mistakes, but she says his mistakes and bad choices do not define him," Connors said.
Nearly 50 letters were written to the court as a character reference for Bean.
Bean, however, spoke for himself.
NOW: Timothy Bean, that former health inspector who faked 2 dozen restaurant inspections, says if he could take back everything he did, he would. @WKBW pic.twitter.com/j5Pf13WGWo
— Ed Drantch (@EdDrantch) August 22, 2019
"If I could go back and change time, I'd do it in a heartbeat, to alleviate the anxiety, stress, humiliation from this situation on me but more importantly my family...I believe I'm taking the right steps now, to become a better member of this society and taking steps to get myself better," Bean said in court.
During the winter, the I-Team confronted Bean about the faked reports.
"What was the reasoning behind this," we asked.
"You know Ed, if I could give you a good reasoning I would. I don't know," Bean told the I-Team.
Now, Bean, through his attorney, said he was dealing with medical issues, including depression, and had been "paralyzed" by that burdensome feeling. Nonetheless, his actions landed him in front of Judge Kenneth Case, for sentencing.
"Because of those factors, you didn't exercise the best judgment," Case said. "It doesn't seem that's something for which you should be punished."
Judge Kenneth Case has sentenced Bean to 3-years probation and 200 hours community service after faking restaurant inspections last year. Bean had asked for a conditional discharge. That was not granted @WKBW pic.twitter.com/gjSC7r8FB1
— Ed Drantch (@EdDrantch) August 22, 2019
Bean is instead going through counseling and is working for a private business.
Despite accepting responsibility inside the courtroom, Bean had nothing to say outside. He has 30 days to appeal the judge's decision, although his attorney says that won't be the case.
