The Detroit Free Press 02/16/12 M.L. Elrick & John Wisely
“Ficano aide charged with extortion, fraud: Wayne Co. Exec Denies knowledge of alleged demands for trips, cash”
http://www.freep.com/article/20120215/NEWS02/302150001/Wayne-County-official-charged-with-extortion
Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano denied knowledge of an alleged extortion plot in which one of his top aides is accused of demanding trips to exotic destinations, more than $80,000 in cash, cell phones for his children -- and a 49% stake in a contractor's business for a relative
.
The allegations were contained in a federal criminal complaint the FBI filed today against Tahir Kazmi, 52, of Rochester Hills, who resigned as the county's chief information officer hours before the U.S. Attorney's Office disclosed the extortion, fraud and obstruction of justice charges against him.
Ficano was not named in the federal complaint, but allegations indicate the FBI is investigating former Deputy County Executive Azzam Elder for possible corruption and former county economic development chief Turkia Awada Mullin, whose $200,000 severance deal set off a firestorm that has dogged Ficano for months.
According to Special Agent Beeckman, Kazmi used his position as chief information officer to pressure an IT vendor to give him between $80,000 and $90,000 in cash, as well as pay for trips to Hawaii, Orlando and Turkey. The vendor told the FBI that "Kazmi's demands grew over time and included forcing (the vendor) to pay for cellular telephones for Kazmi's children, airline tickets, hotel rooms and other things of value. Kazmi even demanded that (the vendor) give 49% of (the vendor's) company to Kazmi's brother-in-law."
MSNBC 02/16/12
“ Wayne County’s director of personnel and human resources announces resignation”
“We were informed late last week about Ms. Kelly and Mr. Dukes' intentions to leave the county.
The News-Herald 02/19/12
“Commission votes to end “secret” money deal for country employees”
An ordinance to prevent county employees from getting secret, big-money deals was unanimously approved Thursday by the 15-member Wayne County Commission.
Commissioners were outraged last fall upon learning that former county economic development director Turkia Awada Mullin had been given a $200,000 severance payment upon voluntarily leaving her county job to become chief executive officer for the Wayne County Airport Authority, which oversees Detroit Metropolitan and Willow Run airports.
Former deputy county executive Azzam Elder had a notarized document signed by Ficano in March 2009 promising him a separation payment in the $300,000 range, along with enhanced retirement benefits.
Former economic development director Mulu Birru was given a $200,000 severance payment upon leaving his position in early 2009.
Common Sense Review
So should it be a surprise to anyone that a Wayne county executive was arrested for extortion. From the two other articles, the rats are jumping ship and they get paid to do so. How does Wayne County justify in this economy paying $700,000 to people who have left their position working for the county?
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