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Monday, September 15, 2014

Sledge, Collins and Parlovecchio Indicted in Wayne County Jail Probe

Worthy Says Jail Investigation Is Ongoing

Background Information

In September of 2013 Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy petitioned the Third Circuit Court for Wayne County to convene a one man grand jury citing the need to conduct a thorough and unhampered investigation of the stalled Wayne County Jail Project. The petition was triggered by Wayne County Auditor General Willie Mayo's August 16, 2013 audit and report of the Wayne County Consolidated Jail Project. (See Attachment A - Summary of Michigan Law - One Man Grand Jury)

On September 19, 2013, the Court granted the petition and convened a one man grand jury to investigate public official willful neglect of duty, conspiracy, fraud, misconduct, false statements relating to public finances and/or financial conditions related to the jail project. The grand jury reviewed 140,000 pages of documents, entered 150 exhibits into evidence, and examined 26 witnesses. On September 12, 2014, an indictment was unsealed charging Carla E. Sledge, Steven M. Collins, and Anthony Parlovecchio.

Indictment of Carla E. Sledge, Chief Financial Officer

From 2005 to 2013, Ms. Sledge, 62, of Bonita Springs, Florida, was the Chief Financial Officer for Wayne County Executive Robert A. Ficano. In 2013, her duties included serving as chief administrator for the Wayne County Building Authority, the body responsible for overseeing large construction projects, including the planned new jail. On September 12, 2014, Ms. Sledge was indicted on the following common law offenses: two felonies each carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison and two misdemeanors, each carrying a maximum penalty of one year in jail. 

COUNT 1: MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE
On or between October 2010, up to and including June 2013, Ms. Sledge did commit an indictable offense at common law, to wit: Misconduct in Office by having a duty to fully and honestly inform a legislative body, to wit: the Wayne County Commission, and did intentionally testify, make statements, advise, communicate, create, and/or prevent, hinder and/or obstruct information to said legislative body, which contained materially false and/or misleading information involving the subject of said reporting duty, to wit: the cost(s) and/or financial status of the Wayne County Consolidated Jail Project; contrary to MCL 750.505. [750.505-C].
FELONY: Five Years and/or $10,000.00

COUNT 2: MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE
On or between October 2010 up to and including June 2013, Ms. Sledge did commit an indictable offense at common law, to wit: Misconduct in Office by having a duty to fully and honestly inform a legislative body, to wit: the Wayne County Building Authority, and did intentionally testify, make statements, advise, communicate, create, and/or prevent, hinder and/or obstruct information to said legislative body, which contained materially false and/or misleading information involving the subject of said reporting duty, to wit: the cost(s) and/or financial status of the Wayne County Consolidated Jail Project; contrary to MCL 750.505. [750.505-C].
FELONY: Five Years and/or $10,000.00

COUNT 3: PUBLIC OFFICER - WILFULL NEGLECT OF DUTY
On or between October 2010 up to and including June 2013, Ms. Sledge did willfully neglect to perform the duty to fully and honestly inform a legislative body, to wit: the Wayne County Commission, a duty enjoined upon her by State law and/or the Wayne County Charter and/or Wayne County Ethics Ordinances; contrary to MCL 750.478. [750.478].
MISDEMEANOR: One Year and/or $1,000.00

COUNT 4: PUBLIC OFFICER - WILFULL NEGLECT OF DUTY
On or between October 2010 up to and including June 2013, Ms. Sledge did willfully neglect to perform the duty to fully and honestly inform a legislative body, to wit: the Wayne County Building Authority, a duty enjoined upon her by State law and/or the Wayne County Charter and/or Wayne County Ethics Ordinances; contrary to MCL 750.478. [750.478].
MISDEMEANOR: One Year and/or $1,000.00

Indictment of Steven M. Collins, Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel

Mr. Collins, 53, of Grosse Pointe Park, in his capacity as Chief Assistant Wayne County Corporation Counsel, served as a Board Member for the Wayne County Building Authority; he has been indicted on the following charges:

COUNT 1: MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE
On or between October 2010 up to and including June 2013, Mr. Collins did commit an indictable offense at common law, to wit: Misconduct in Office by having a duty to fully and honestly inform a legislative body, to wit: the Wayne County Commission, and did intentionally testify, make statements, advise, communicate, create, and/or prevent, hinder and/or obstruct information to said legislative body, which contained materially false and/or misleading information involving the subject of said reporting duty, to wit: the cost(s) and/or financial status of the Wayne County Consolidated Jail Project; contrary to MCL 750.505. [750.505-C].
FELONY: Five Years and/or $10,000.00

COUNT 2: MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE
On or between October 2010 up to and including June 2013, Mr. Collins did commit an indictable offense at common law, to wit: Misconduct in Office by having a duty to fully and honestly inform a legislative body, to wit: the Wayne County Building Authority, and did intentionally testify, make statements, advise, communicate, create, and/or prevent, hinder and/or obstruct information to said legislative body, which contained materially false and/or misleading information involving the subject of said reporting duty, to wit: the cost(s) and/or financial status of the Wayne County Consolidated Jail Project; contrary to MCL 750.505. [750.505-C].
FELONY: Five Years and/or $10,000.00

COUNT 3: PUBLIC OFFICER - WILFULL NEGLECT OF DUTY
On or between October 2010 up to and including June 2013, Mr. Collins did willfully neglect to perform the duty to fully and honestly inform a legislative body, to wit: the Wayne County Commission, a duty enjoined upon him by State law and/or the Wayne County Charter and/or Wayne County Ethics Ordinances; contrary to MCL 750.478. [750.478].
MISDEMEANOR: One Year and/or $1,000.00

COUNT 4: PUBLIC OFFICER - WILFULL NEGLECT OF DUTY
On or between October 2010 up to and including June 2013, Mr. Collins did willfully neglect to perform the duty to fully and honestly inform a legislative body, to wit: the Wayne County Building Authority, a duty enjoined upon him by State law and/or the Wayne County Charter and/or Wayne County Ethics Ordinances; contrary to MCL 750.478. [750.478].
MISDEMEANOR: One Year and/or $1,000.00

Indictment of Anthony Parlovecchio, Jail Project Contractor

Mr. Parlovecchio, 65, of West Bloomfield, was a Wayne County appointee under former economic development czar Turkia Mullin. He left Wayne County employment in February 2011 and shortly thereafter, was hired as an outside contractor to oversee the jail project. In that capacity he was responsible for ensuring that contractors for the jail completed the projects on time and on budget. Mr. Parlovecchio has been indicted on the following charge:

COUNT 4: PUBLIC OFFICER - WILFULL NEGLECT OF DUTY
On or between October 2010 up to and including June 2013, Mr. Parlovecchio did willfully neglect to perform the duty to fully and honestly inform a legislative body, to wit: the Wayne County Building Authority, a duty enjoined upon him by State law and/or the Wayne County Charter and/or Wayne County Ethics Ordinances; contrary to MCL 750.478. [750.478].
MISDEMEANOR: One Year and/or $1,000.00

Statement of Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy

"This has been a long and arduous undertaking. The one man grand jury was necessary to ensure that the process was impartial, fair, and free from politics. Because the charges were issued as an indictment, this matter will proceed directly to circuit court for arraignment and then to trial. The same law that provides for convening the grand jury also prohibits me from speaking about its proceedings; the details will come out in court. I will not have any interviews because the investigation into the Wayne County Jail is continuing."

Arraignment Information

The arraignments for Sledge, Collins and Parlovecchio will be held on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. in Wayne County Third Circuit Court Criminal Division. An update will be sent out when the judge for the hearing has been determined.

Ms. Sledge is represented by attorney Harold Gurewitz. Mr. Parlovecchio is represented by attorney Ben Gonek. Mr. Collins is represented by attorney James Thomas. 5

Attachment A - Summary of Michigan Law - One Man Grand Jury

The Petition

The Prosecutor files a petition with the circuit court alleging why there is probable cause to suspect that a crime has been committed and that a person or persons may be able to give material evidence regarding the crime or offense. (MCLA 767.4) The judge then signs an order directing that an inquiry be made relating to the formal complaint. The petition is for six months and can be renewed for an additional six months. (MCLA 767.3) If an indictment issues, the case proceeds to arraignment in circuit court; there is no preliminary examination.

Subpoenas

When the judge issues a subpoena, the person called before the grand jury is entitled to legal counsel; no delay is permitted in appearing before the judge. All matters revealed are subject to secrecy provisions. (MCLA 767.4)

Penalties - Contempt

Witnesses neglecting or refusing to appear can be found in contempt of court. After a hearing in court, such witnesses can be fined $1,000 and/or imprisoned for up to one year. Witnesses can "purge" themselves of the contempt by offering to appear before the court. The judge may then commute or suspend the sentence. (MCLA 767.5)

Penalties - Disclosure of Proceedings

Except in cases of prosecutions for contempt or perjury against witnesses, any judge conducting the inquiry, or any prosecuting attorney and other persons admitted to such inquiry at the discretion of the judge, who disclose information from the grand jury, are guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment not more than a year or by fine not less than $100 or more than $1,000 or both: (MCLA 767.19 f).

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Updated Information: The arraignments for Sledge, Collins and Parlovecchio will be held on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. in Wayne County Third Circuit Court Criminal Division. An update will be sent out when the judge for the hearing has been determined.

Mr. Collins is represented by attorney James Thomas.

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Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Jayru Campbell - Today Campbell was arraigned and remanded to jail on a probation violation before Judge Timothy Kenny in the case where he assaulted a security guard at Cass Tech High School. A hearing date was scheduled for September 26, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.

On Saturday, September 13, 2014, Campbell was charged in connection with an assault of a 17- year-old female student who is reported to be his girlfriend. On September 12, 2014, during school hours, it is alleged that Campbell was at Cass Tech when he assaulted his girlfriend in front of other students in a dispute over a phone. Campbell was intercepted and placed in custody at the scene. It was determined that the complainant did not require medical treatment after the alleged assault. Campbell was charged with Robbery Not Armed, Assault with Intent to Do Great Bodily Harm and misdemeanor Domestic Violence Assault and Battery. His preliminary examination on the new charges will be held on September 25, 2014.

Shooting of Seven-year-old Girl - We have received a warrant that is being reviewed for the September 14, 2014 shooting that occurred in the 20400 block of Charest in Detroit.

Sledge, Collins and Parlovecchio Indicted in Wayne County Jail Probe

Updated Information

The arraignments for Sledge, Collins and Parlovecchio will be held on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. in Wayne County Third Circuit Court Criminal Division. An update will be sent out when the judge for the hearing has been determined.

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Roger Bowling - Defendant charged in connection with the homicide and dismemberment of an Allen Park couple, was convicted as charged of two counts each of First Degree Murder, Disinterment of Dead Bodies and Mutilation, Tampering with Evidence and Felony Firearm after a five week jury trial before Judge Ulysses Boykin. The sentence hearing is scheduled for October 10, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.

Friday, September 19, 2014

Homicide of Three-Year-Old Girl - We have not received a warrant request in connection with the homicide of a three-year-old Detroit girl that occurred on the night of Thursday, September 18, 2014. The Detroit Police Department has informed us that a warrant request will be presented on Saturday, September 20, 2014.

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