DETROIT (AP) — The former executive of Michigan’s largest county said his “good name” has been cleared after federal agents on Monday closed a corruption investigation that had led to convictions against a key aide and four other people.
U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade said there would be no additional charges in an investigation of Wayne County government.
It was good news for former Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, who lost his bid for re-election in August due to the bad publicity, the county’s poor finances and a disastrous jail project that has cost millions of dollars and remains unfinished.
Ficano’s successor said last week that the county could run out of money by spring 2016.
“My record and my good name have been cleared, and I move on with confidence and renewed faith,” Ficano said after McQuade’s announcement. “Those who prejudged and sensationalized the situation and the people involved in it have extracted a heavy price and ruined the reputation of many decent and honest citizens. I hope there is a lesson in this for them.”
FBI agents turned their eyes to county government after dozens of people were convicted of corruption at Detroit City Hall, including former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.
A Ficano political aide, Michael Grundy, was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for looting a health insurance program for the poor. His spending spree included $10,000 for hair plugs before his wedding.
County spending came under scrutiny in 2011 when the chief development officer, Turkia Mullin, got a $200,000 severance when she was promoted to airport director. Ficano initially defended the payment but changed course and said she wouldn’t get it.
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