Macomb County Prosecutor charged for embezzlement

[Lowell]

Macomb County continues to hold the title as Metro Detroit's political scandal center as three of its prosecutors face charges for embezzlement and other criminal activities.

These charges are very similar to those that have brought down several UAW officials--raiding and pilfering of loosely monitor funds.

Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith was charged Tuesday with embezzlement and other criminal offenses. Also charged are Benjamin Liston, 58, a retired assistant prosecutor and former chief of operations for Smith's office; Derek Miller, 36, an assistant prosecutor who is the current chief of operations for Smith's office, and businessman William Weber, 38, the Attorney General's Office said.

Investigators found that Smith and other defendants used the money to buy flowers and makeup for select secretaries, a security system for Smith's residence, garden benches for staffers' homes, country club catering for parties, campaign expenditures and more.

https://freep.mi.newsmemory.com/?pub...6ff7be_13435a9

[Scottathew]

I'm thrilled to see the AG hold people accountable here. Asset forfeiture has been dubious in some places in the country. But even when properly done, the forfeited assets should benefit the taxpayers, not Eric Smith and his family members.

I hope justice is done, if he's guilty, throw the book at him. If he's innocent, then vindicate him.

[Gistok]

Lowell.... Macomb County does try to be ahead of what appears to be a neck and neck race with Wayne County... the winner changes from year to year...

Our only "breath of fresh air" in Macomb County government has been former US congresswoman Candice Miller... who as she took over crooked Anthony Marrocco's fiefdom of Water Commissioner, did a lot of mopping up of her department.

[Scottathew]

Our only "breath of fresh air" in Macomb County government has been former US congresswoman Candice Miller

100% agree. She's been awesome and transparent.

[Metro25]

It's kinda funny how suburbanites love to attack Wayne and the city about corruption and cite it as a reason for living in their no-name ugly bedroom communities instead of Detroit yet they have plenty of it for themselves in their own counties and cities. Just as much if not more.

[Gistok]

It's kinda funny how suburbanites love to attack Wayne and the city about corruption and cite it as a reason for living in their no-name ugly bedroom communities instead of Detroit yet they have plenty of it for themselves in their own counties and cities. Just as much if not more.

Funny that.... bedroom communities in Dearborn, Royal Oak, St. Clair Shores, et al... all have 50+ year old houses and straight street grid plans that are just as nice as can be found in many areas of Detroit...

[401don]

It never ceases to amaze me how people of all walks of life - politicians, gov't administrators, business people, clergy - continue to think they can get away with it no matter how many prosecutions and convictions occur. I mean these are people who, for the most part, are doing quite well with their lot in life. The combination of greed, arrogance and stupidity is mind boggling.

[Smirnoff]

Just wait until the Fed's drop their boatload of charges. . . . .

[Bigdd]

Well this is a nice break.

A good ole run of the mill embezzlement thread.

For a moment it's like everything is normal again in the D.

[mtm49269]

nobody... but NObody...
could ever out corrupt [[or flat-out out weird) karen spranger!

[Cincinnati_Kid]

It's kinda funny how suburbanites love to attack Wayne and the city about corruption and cite it as a reason for living in their no-name ugly bedroom communities instead of Detroit yet they have plenty of it for themselves in their own counties and cities. Just as much if not more.

Can't wait to see how this plays out. They castrated Kwame for "running a criminal enterprise" out of his office. Let's see how much time Mr Smith gets, for doing the same, if convicted. It's a safe bet he won't get 28 years. Just waiting now for comments that suggest, no comparison, Kwame's crimes were worse.

[Scottathew]

Eric Smith resigns.

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/...ption-charges/

[Cincinnati_Kid]

Eric Smith resigns.

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/...ption-charges/

Can you say "Guilty" ?

[Wheels]

Your trying to compare stealing lunch money to robing fort knox.

[Smirnoff]

Resignation: no surprise if a plea bargain is announced. . . . .

[Smirnoff]

Just wait until the Fed's drop their boatload of charges. . . . .

No wonder why he resigned:

Det News: Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith resigned Monday while pursuing a deal to plead guilty to forthcoming federal corruption charges, sources told The Detroit News.

Smith continues to negotiate with federal prosecutors to resolve a corruption investigation that coincides with a separate state probe that last week led to the Michigan Attorney General's Office filing racketeering charges against the county's top law enforcement officer. Smith and three others are accused of participating in a scheme to embezzle $600,000 in county forfeiture funds.

[Richard]

There has to be some irony in somebody participating in a scheme to embezzle funds from a scheme that was designed to embezzle funds from the public.Guilty or not.

That part is federal also because the law enforcement agencies that participate in the forfeiture fund give a percentage to the federal government.

[Cincinnati_Kid]

Your trying to compare stealing lunch money to robing fort knox.

I wouldn't consider over $600,000, lunch money. Not to mention the other misdeeds he may have committed.