Authorities Say Detroit Clerk, Pal, Took Bribes To Dismiss $40K In Tickets
DETROIT (AP/WWJ) — Authorities say a former court clerk and a longtime acquaintance took about $20,000 in bribes to dismiss more than $40,000 in traffic tickets and fines.
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette says 56-year-old Annette Bates, an ex-36th District Court clerk, and 44-year-old Charles Fair are charged with forgery.
Not guilty pleas were entered on their behalf Monday. Court records don't list lawyers for them.
The felony charges follow an investigation involving Schuette's office and the FBI's public corruption task force. Schuette says over a two-year period the Detroit residents forged dismissals of traffic tickets, fines and citations in the name of 36th District Court judges.
Long time acquaintances, Fair and Bates allegedly worked together with Fair funneling requests for dismissal to Bates who would then dismiss the tickets from the record, each taking a cut of the fee. In some cases, dismissing tickets allowed drivers with suspended license to regain their operator's license.
"Individuals with a blatant disregard for the law must realize there are consequences," said Schuette. "Stealing from Detroit's traffic citation funds is stealing from not just the City coffers, but stealing from those who are working hard to continue turning Detroit around."
Bates and Fair were arraigned on November 30, 2015 in 36th District Court before Magistrate Dawn White. Personal recognizance bonds were set at $5,000.00. The probable cause conference is set for December 7, 2015 and the preliminary examination on December 14, 2015, both in the 36th District Court. Each count of forgery is a felony that carries a penalty of up to 14 years in prison.
Schuette's office says the judges weren't aware of the dismissals. In some cases, dismissing tickets allowed drivers with a suspended license to regain an operator's license.
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