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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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April 6, 2014 at 12:41 pm
Worthy: Crooks 'have a good friend in Bob Ficano'
The Detroit News
Detroit— Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy is upping the ante in her funding feud with Executive Robert Ficano, urging voters to dump him and accusing him of coddling criminals.
“Rapists, robbers and murderers have a good friend in Bob Ficano because he obviously doesn’t want to fund the entity that can keep them off the street,” Worthy said on an episode of the show “Detroit Wants 2 Know” that aired Sunday.
The comments come as Ficano is expected this month to announce whether he’ll seek a fourth, four-year term. Dogged by scandal and an ongoing federal corruption probe, Ficano hasn’t said whether he’ll seek re-election but has ramped up fundraising and public appearances in recent months. The filing deadline for the November election is April 22.
Both Worthy and Ficano are Democrats and she has occasionally been rumored as a potential candidate for executive. Declared candidates include state Rep. Phil Cavanagh, D-Redford Township; Commissioner Kevin McNamara, D-Belleville, and Westland Mayor Bill Wild. Former Sheriff Warren Evans also has picked up nominating petitions but didn’t commit to running when contacted this week by The News.
Worthy’s comments follow years of complaints — and litigation — about her budget. In February, Ficano proposed cutting another seven prosecutors, after Worthy said she has been forced to lay off 73 staff members in recent years. Worthy has said Ficano’s budget cuts have made her office a “laughing-stock” with a growing backlog of cases.
On Sunday’s show, Worthy said there’s a six-week wait to process warrants for suspects who aren’t currently in custody, including child abusers and drunk drivers.
“I have told Bob Ficano’s (office) and they don’t care. They call it scare tactics,” Worthy said on the show hosted by Steve Hood, a political strategist and former Ficano appointee.
Ficano’s staff didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment on Sunday. But his office has noted that budgets are tight countywide in large part because property tax revenues have declined $100 million in about five years.
State Treasury officials are monitoring the county’s finances and county officials have publicly said that an emergency manager could be looming if problems aren’t fixed.
From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140406/METRO01/304060023#ixzz2y9pXiCce |
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Sun Apr 06, 2014 7:59 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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FBI's corruption probe expands to Ficano's political machine
By: Ross Jones
Posted: 5:25 PM, Apr 4, 2013
Updated: 10:16 PM, Apr 4, 2013
Still probing Wayne County
Video ByWXYZ
DETROIT (WXYZ) - Federal agents continue to pound the pavement in Wayne County, according to sources. It's a sign that the FBI's probe into corruption inside the Robert Ficano administration is very much alive.
Multiple sources confirm that agents probing corruption inside county headquarters have been asking questions about—among other things—pressure to do political work or make endorsements.
Meetings have been arranged within the last month at FBI headquarters on Michigan Avenue and elsewhere, with individuals familiar with Wayne County politics. Some used to work for Robert Ficano.
Agents have asked about meetings where top Ficano aides allegedly instructed appointees to buy tickets to fundraisers, go door-to-door for candidates, and support or endorse those friendly to Ficano.
One former Ficano appointee says he told agents that he complied "for fear of losing my job."
Fmr. FBI Special Agent in Charge Dan Roberts says it's a sign that agents are going down every path.
"These are some of the most high profile cases that the FBI works, and they want to make sure that they're doing it right, doing it by the book and doing it correctly," he said.
The feds asked specific questions about specific individuals still inside the county, but who have not been charged with any crimes or named in any subpoenas. Because of that, 7 Action News is not naming them.
As for those who have already pled guilty, there are signs tonight that they're giving the feds plenty to work with. Former county Chief Information Officer Tahir Kazmi pled guilty to bribery last year, but his sentencing has been put off ever since. That could be a sign, says former FBI Special Agent in Charge Dan Roberts, that Kazmi is singing to the feds.
"It could be that there is a larger scheme going on there and they have knowledge of it, and they're offering that up to reduce their sentencing," Roberts said.
Ficano's spokeswoman said his office is cooperating with the ongoing investigation, but could not comment on who the feds are talking to, or what they're talking about.
If you have a tip for the 7 Action News Investigators, contact us at tips@wxyz.com or at (248) 827-9466. |
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Sun Apr 06, 2014 8:10 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Feds Charge 2 Ficano Aides as FBI Investigates Corruption in Wayne County
Posted: Feb 15, 2012 4:09 PM EST
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) -- Key members of Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano's staff are now facing federal charges accused of trying to cover-up a crime.
The U.S. Attorney announced the county's top information officer, 52-year-old Tahir Kazmi, and the county's director of enterprise application, 33-year-old Zayd Alleban, are the first to be charged in a widening corruption probe involving Wayne County government.
Kazmi and Alleban are charged with obstruction of justice and impeding an investigation. They're accused of pressuring a county vendor into lying to FBI agents. They also allegedly manufactured evidence to hinder the FBI probe.
Kazmi is also charged with extortion and bribery.
We're told Kazmi demanded cash and trips from a vendor in exchange for county contracts.
Kazmi resigned on Wednesday. Alleban is suspended without pay.
The criminal complaint does not mention any charges against Ficano.
"We have been fully cooperating and if somebody did something wrong, then you're going to hold them accountable," Ficano said Wednesday evening. "That's always been my philosophy of when I was sheriff and it's my philosophy as a county executive."
"If the allegations are true, it is outrageous and those people should be held accountable."
"We are turning over every stone in this case, and anyone who tampers with our investigation will be charged with obstruction of justice," United States Attorney Barbara McQuade said. "We hope that these charges will encourage others to come forward and assist us in our investigation rather than impede it. The citizens of Wayne County are entitled to a thorough investigation to ensure that they are receiving the honest government they deserve." |
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Sun Apr 06, 2014 8:15 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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The Feds have been investigating Ficano for "Pay to play" allegations since 2010.
With Genesee County Commission elections coming up this year, I believe the possibility of "pay to play" is a real possibility surrounding the recent $100,000 no bid contract given recently. Watching campaign finance records is a must. |
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Sun Apr 06, 2014 8:20 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Ficano asks for letter clearing him in FBI probe, but none comes so far
By: Heather Catallo
Posted: 1:27 PM, Jun 6, 2013
Updated: 5:35 PM, Jun 6, 2013
Ficano asks for letter saying he's not FBI target, but nothing comes
DETROIT (WXYZ) - 7 Action News has learned that Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano has asked the U. S. Attorney to issue a letter stating that he is not a target of the FBI probe. No letter has been issued to date.
Federal agents have been investigating Ficano's administration since the fall of 2011, after the 7 Action News Investigators exposed the severance scandal and other allegations of corruption.
According to court records, two of Ficano's former top aides are the target of the probe. The investigation so far has netted five convictions. The FBI is declining to comment on Ficano's request.
There was no immediate comment from Ficano. |
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Sun Apr 06, 2014 8:25 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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With all of the corruption in Flint and Genesee County, do we really need a County Executive.
"Absolute power corrupts absolutely." |
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Sun Apr 06, 2014 8:27 pm |
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