Donald Mickey Patterson, Wire Fraud, False Statements, TSCA Violation, Michigan 2010

Detroit – A former City of Detroit lead inspector was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison last week for a scheme to defraud families and conceal dangerous lead paint hazards, putting children at risk of serious health complications. Donald Mickey Patterson, 50, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in July 2010, following an investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Patterson, in his role as a lead inspector for the Detroit Health Department, was responsible for ensuring homes with children exhibiting elevated blood lead levels were properly abated of lead-based paint hazards. Instead, between October 2008 and August 2009, he exploited his position to solicit bribes from homeowners and renters, falsely certifying properties as lead-free or offering sham “training” on lead abatement procedures. He allegedly demanded a total of $1350 from four separate properties.

The scheme went beyond simple financial gain. Patterson reportedly used threats of criminal prosecution and false accusations of child neglect to coerce victims into paying the bribes and remaining silent about the hazards. In one particularly egregious case, Patterson inspected a home where a two-year-old child had been hospitalized due to lead poisoning. He offered the child’s grandfather a choice: pay $500 for legitimate lead abatement training or $200 for a fraudulent certification from Patterson himself. The “training” provided by Patterson, however, worsened the lead contamination, with lead dust found on the floor, ground, and even the child’s toys.

Adding to the severity of the crime, Patterson falsely assured a hospital nurse and the child’s family that the home was “safe” for the child’s return. The child was subsequently returned to the contaminated environment, continuing to suffer from lead exposure until Michigan Department of Community Health inspectors discovered the ongoing hazard and intervened. James Harvey, the child’s grandfather, spoke at the sentencing hearing, detailing the lasting harm caused by Patterson’s actions.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Donald Mickey Patterson
Crime: Wire Fraud, False Statements, TSCA Violation
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Years Active: 2008-2009
Sentencing: 46 months imprisonment, 24 months probation, $662 restitution
Victims: Families with young children exposed to lead paint hazards

“Lead paint poses a serious health risk, particularly to children,” stated U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade. “We hope that this conviction will deter others from putting residents at risk.” Randall Ashe, Special Agent in Charge of the EPA’s criminal enforcement program, emphasized the betrayal of public trust, stating, “It is reprehensible that in this case a city health inspector…instead solicited tenants and landlords to pay him bribes.”

Patterson was originally indicted on four counts including wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1343), making false statements (18 U.S.C. 1001), and violating the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) – 15 U.S.C. 2615. He ultimately pleaded guilty to the wire fraud charge. The sentencing reflects the seriousness of the offense and the potential for long-term health consequences associated with lead exposure. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lynn Helland, with assistance from the City of Detroit, the State of Michigan, and the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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