Ex-Pontiac Fire Chief Charged With Accepting Bribes
PONTIAC (WWJ) - Former Pontiac Fire Chief Jeffrey Hawkins is facing bribery and racketeering charges. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette says a two year investigation shows Hawkins allegedly took $1,000 in exchange for allowing the Little David's Island Bar to remain open despite the fact there were fire code violations.
The investigation shows Hawkins allegedly accepted $500 in cash from the bar owner in August 2009, and later accepted an additional $500 from an undercover FBI investigator in April 2010.
He is charged with two counts of Accepting a Bribe as a Public Officer, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine, plus disqualification from public office for life; and one count of Conducting Criminal Enterprises (racketeering), a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine, plus disqualification from public office for life.
Arrangements are being made for Hawkins to turn himself in to authorities for arraignment.
