A federal grand jury indicted Detroit City Council Member Gabe Leland, 35, with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and two counts of bribery.
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"We intend to prove these allegations in court and the evidence will show that Mr. Leland used his official position to accept bribes," said U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider.
According to the indictment, Leland allegedly conspired with Elisa Grubbs, a campaign worker, to solicit and accept bribes consisting of $15,000 in cash and free auto body work from a local business owner from May through August 2017.
The campaign worker was charged with bribery conspiracy on Oct. 3 in federal court.
The indictment also alleges that Leland agreed to help delay or prevent the city's sale of property that the business owner believed he owned in exchange for the bribes.
According to the indictment, Leland is accused of saying to the business owner, “I should ask for 30 (thousand dollars), but I’m nice to you.”
Leland is charged with taking a $7,500 cash bribe on Aug. 4, 2017, four days before the primary election for Detroit City Council.
He faces up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 for each bribery count, and up to five years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 for the bribery conspiracy count.
Leland did not respond to calls requesting comment regarding the charges he now faces. In July, Leland spoke on the allegations.
“I have a lot of credibility in this town," he said. "Been elected for five years, got reelected in November. My residents believe in me.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider says his office will continue to pursue the public corruption allegations.
"The U.S. Justice Department is taking vigorous pursuit of that and we are going after them, and we’re going to root out the corruption each and every single day," Schneider said.
Leland is expected in court for arraignment next week.
Read the full indictment below:
LELAND_Gabriel Superseding Indictment by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd
