(WXYZ) — Disgraced former Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Anthony Marrocco will serve three months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release.
“Why should you avoid prison today?” We asked Marrocco on his way into court. “Ask my attorney,” he replied.
Marrocco pled guilty to extortion in 2016, as part of a plea deal with federal prosecutors.
“What do you say to voters?” We asked him again today. He answered “That’s the same question from last month.“
Marrocco has admitted to withholding permits from businessmen who refused to make campaign contributions. He is now ordered to report to the Bureau of Prisons by June 15th.
Upon release, he must also serve 450 days of home confinement without internet, entertainment or visitors unless otherwise allowed.
“I thought it was an interesting and unusual sentence,” Defense Attorney Steve Fishman told us outside court. He had argued age and health were factors that should have kept Marrocco out of prison.
He also argued prison time wouldn’t discourage others from committing crimes.
“They don’t have anything to base that on. Think about it,” says Fishman.
Marrocco, 74, was voted out in 2016 after serving since 1993. He is part of a larger probe in Macomb County that’s led to 23 charged and convicted.
“He pled guilty to what he pled guilty to. That’s all there is to it. Tony Marrocco is a good guy. He’s just a really good guy. Was he the kind of guy who liked to be respected? Yeah,” says Fishman.
Along with that decision, Marrocco must pay $50,000 in fines.
