Michigan township supervisor charged with taking bribes
NEW BALTIMORE, Mich. (AP) — An eastern Michigan township supervisor faces corruption charges in federal court accusing him of taking more than $30,000 in bribes.
Federal prosecutors say FBI agents arrested Chesterfield Township Supervisor Michael Lovelock of New Baltimore on Thursday. Prosecutors say the 57-year-old Lovelock accepted multiple bribes from a company that had a significant contract with the township. Authorities say Lovelock was taking the bribes from 2010 to 2016.
Authorities say Lovelock also accepted two other cash bribes from an undercover FBI agent and an individual cooperating with the investigation. Officials say those payments were video recorded.
Lovelock did not immediately respond to an email and phone message left at his township office seeking comment.
Prosecutors said Lovelock’s arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into corruption in southeastern Michigan, including Macomb County.
Prison for woman who helped Michigan farms get illegal labor
BAY CITY, Mich. (AP) — A woman who illegally helped immigrants work at dairy farms in Michigan’s Thumb region was sentenced Wednesday to two years and three months in federal prison.
In her plea deal, Yolanda Stewart admitted that she conspired with farms for years. She said she enabled at least 10 farms, especially in Huron and Tuscola counties, to benefit from the labor of more than 100 people who were in the U.S. illegally.
Defense attorney Paul Beggs said the 60-year-old Marlette woman regrets her actions. But he called it a stiff sentence for “something so many people do.”
“She’s Hispanic. She’s a U.S. citizen. She speaks the language. She identified with the culture,” Beggs told The Associated Press after the court hearing in Bay City, 100 miles northeast of Lansing.
Stewart helped workers buy groceries, cash at least $1.8 million in checks and send money to Mexico. She also assisted them in getting bogus identity documents. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy in July.
In her signed plea agreement, Stewart also admitted that she alerted farm operators when she believed federal agents were nearby so that they could conceal workers from getting caught.
Charges against her husband were dropped.
Khaalid Walls, a spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, declined to comment when asked if farms assisted by Stewart were being investigated.
OCBA Holiday Gala
Join in the holiday fun with members of the OCBA from 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham. There will be a cash bar and hors d'oeuvres will be served. Cost for the event before Nov. 20 is $75 for OCBA members (new lawyers $55) and $85 for non-members; after Nov. 21, $85 for OCBA members (new lawyers $60) and $95 for non-members. All registrations received after Nov. 30 and at the door are $50 more. Register online at www.ocba.org.
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