News, Culture and NPR for Central & Northern Michigan

Macomb county politicos, businessman face corruption charges

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              Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith faces multiple charges that include embezzlement and misconduct in office. 

Three other people are also charged – including a businessman and a former state legislator.
                They are accused of abusing a fund made up of forfeited criminal assets.
                Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the charges today (Tue.) She says they spent a total of 600 thousand dollars from the fund on gifts, dinners, and other personal expenses.

“In exchange for the power to govern, public officials swear an oath of loyalty to the public interest. They don’t swear loyalty to their donors, their stock portfolios, their bank accounts, or even their families.”

       Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel (HAK-el) forwarded the case to the state attorney general for review following an audit of the forfeited funds account. 

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