Two elected officials in Michigan have pleaded guilty to demanding and taking bribes in exchange for their official acts. Chesterfield Township Supervisor Michael Lovelock and Macomb Township Trustee Clifford Freitas admitted to accepting money from a municipal vendor in exchange for using their official positions to secure a contract extension, put past due accounts on the tax rolls, and obtain payment from Macomb County.
According to court records, Lovelock accepted over $30,000 in cash from the vendor’s representative between 2010 and 2016. He also accepted two other bribe payments totaling $4,000 in cash from an undercover agent and an individual cooperating in the investigation.
Freitas pleaded guilty to demanding and accepting money in exchange for his official acts as a Macomb Township Trustee. He accepted $7,500 from a vendor in return for his assistance in getting a contract, and later demanded an additional $35,000 for his help with the bid.
Both Lovelock and Freitas face a statutory maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing has been set for October 5, 2017, at 1:30 pm in Port Huron.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Detroit Area Corruption Task Force, a multiagency task force led by the FBI Detroit Division and comprised of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Michigan State Police, Michigan Attorney General’s Office, and several other local and federal law enforcement agencies.
Assistant United States Attorneys R. Michael Bullotta and David A. Gardey are prosecuting the case.
Defendant/Respondent: Michael Lovelock
Criminal Charges: Demanding and taking bribes in exchange for official acts
City and State: Chesterfield Township, Michigan
Exact Date: 2010-2016, 2015, 2017/10/5
Sentence or Outcome: Up to 10 years in prison, up to $250,000 fine
Dollar Amounts: Over $30,000, $7,500, $35,000, $4,000
Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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