Detroit City Councilman Andre Spivey and a staff worker (who is unnamed) allegedly took over $35,000 in bribery payments, federal prosecutors say in court documents officially released Wednesday, the Detroit Free Press reported.
According to the article, the financial compensation was part of a reported bribery conspiracy from 2016-2020 to sway city business, prosecutors said.
Spivey’s office staff member was labeled in court records just as “Public Official A.”
Federal prosecutors charged Spivey with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.
“Both Andre Spivey and Public Official A accepted the bribe payments with the intent to be influenced and rewarded in connection with upcoming votes on the Detroit City Council and in subcommittees of the Detroit City Council concerning an industry under review by the council,” per court records, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Spivey, who was elected in November 2009, represents the 4th District on the city’s far-east side — he is not running for reelection in the upcoming local primary election. The Detroit native is a Cass Tech grad.
On Monday, Spivey’s lawyer, Birmingham-based Elliott Hall sent a statement to the Michigan Chronicle confirming that Spivey was charged and that he trusts the justice system.
“Today, the United States District Attorney charged City Councilman Andre Spivey with one count of Conspiracy to Commit Bribery. Mr. Spivey has been fully cooperating with the federal authorities for over a year,” Hall said in the statement. “At no time has he been combative or elusive. Mr. Spivey has a great deal of faith in the justice system and is hoping to have this issue resolved very soon. Please respect Mr. Spivey and his family’s privacy during this extremely difficult period.
According to the article, Spivey waived his right to have his case go before a grand jury.
“That fact, in turn, signals that he is likely pleading guilty and possibly cooperating,” according to a statement from former U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade per the article. “Defendants planning to contest charges do not usually waive this right.”
Former City Councilman Gabe Leland also faced his own legal issues. In June he pled guilty to misconduct while serving on the Detroit City Council, which he resigned from in May.
Leland, who served the District 7 council seat, admitted to taking $7,500, plus free car repairs in 2017 to hold up a land vote for auto shop owner Robert Carmack.
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