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Feds charge former Troy city manager with taking more than $20K in bribes

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The former city manager in Troy is facing federal charges for allegedly taking more than $20,000 in bribes, the United States Attorney's Office announced on Friday morning.

Brian Kischnick, 50, allegedly solicited and took the bribes from a contractor who was looking to do business with the city between September 2015 and March 2018.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Kischnick accepted cash and other things of value totaling $20,879.50 from a contractor "with the intent to be influenced and rewarded in connection with business and transactions worth $5,000 or more with the City of Troy involving that contractor."

“Those who hold the public’s offices and use them for their own personal gain and enrichment should beware," U.S. Attorney Matthew Schnieder said in a release. "We will uncover your crimes and hold you fully accountable for your breach of the public’s trust."

In March, Kischnickwas arrested and charged with domestic assault and battery after an incident in Clawson.

Officers say Kischnick and a woman were returning home from dinner in an Uber on Friday when they got into an argument.

According to police, both of them got out of the Uber and were walking down the sidewalk when witnesses say Kischnick tackled the woman to the ground and when she attempted to get up, she was pushed down forcefully again.

Kischnick was fired from the city, and in May, he was sentenced to 30 days in jail after a jury found him guilty in the case, but a judge ordered him to attend a 40-day domestic violence program. If he completed the program, he would not have to serve the jail sentence.

If Kischnick is found guilty in the bribery case, he faces up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $250,000.