As the federal investigation continues in all of Macomb County for government corruption, two of the trustees in Macomb Township are accused of being involved in bribery.
Trustee Dino Bucci is facing a civil lawsuit with Gianna Investments. According to the lawsuit, Bucci tried to extort more than $75,000 from a contractor.
Trustee Clifford Freitas, was arrested on Tuesday by FBI agents and charged in federal court with engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, including demanding and accepting money in exchange for officials acts as a trustee.
Taxpayers talked with 7 Action News and they are upset.
"It just makes you think about your government actually, there's been so much on the news lately about corruption in the government you would like to think that you live in a city that doesn't exist,” said Diana Ford, a Macomb Township resident.
"Seems like everybody is corrupt it's a like a mini version of Hillary vs. Trump,” said David Faust, a Macomb Township resident.
The Macomb Township Supervisor, Janet Dunn, would not speak on camera about the accusations, but did release this statement:
As far as the upcoming election, Dino Bucci is on the ballot for Trustee. Clifford Freitas did not get enough votes in the August primary to run. Dunn, is running unopposed.
She released this statement to 7 Action News:
As to the civil case my office has forwarded the case to the Township's insurance carrier as we are required to do in all civil cases. Since the case is now formally in litigation and will be reviewed by the insurance carrier, we cannot comment further without jeopardizing coverage. Again, this is a civil case and we are following the required protocols.
Regarding Mr. Freitas (whose term on the board ends on November 20, 2016) I am personally shocked and deeply saddened to hear of these allegations. Since we have just learned of this development this morning it would be inappropriate and unfair to comment any further. We simply have no information, other than what the press has reported.
I would like to emphasize that this Office condemns any and all actions by public officials that betray the public trust.
