Hey, it’s Jer! Thanks for opening this email. Let’s get to it.
In the “oof” files:
Detroit can’t seem to shake the corruption investigations.
A Detroit cop that used to supervise the “Integrity” unit was arrested at his home in Rochester Hills.
It’s part of Operation Northern Hook, looking into towing contracts. It’s already sent one city council member packing, and two more had their homes and offices raided.
The latest on Wednesday is that the FBI arrested two Detroit police officers. One, Lieutenant John F. Kennedy who was formerly the supervisor of the Integrity Unit, responsible for investigating violations and professional misconduct by officers and other city employees. The other, Daniel Vickers of Livonia.
Kennedy allegedly took more than $14,000 in bribes, car repairs, carpet and kickbacks. Vickers, $3,400. This was over a period spanning from 2018 until this year.
Federal officials say this was in exchange for sending business to a towing company that was not part of the city’s authorized rotation. There is also a report that Lt. Kennedy told the subject of the probe about an internal investigation while heading up said Integrity unit.
At this point, if I didn’t laugh at “Integrity Unit,” I’d cry.
Both are charged with three bribery counts and one count of bribery conspiracy. They could face up to ten years in prison.
All of this occurred under the watch of former Detroit Police Chief James Craig, who is currently in the lead as far as fundraising for the Republican nomination to challenge Gretchen Whitmer for the Governor’s seat.
But before the suburbanites start wagging fingers on Facebook pages — this is an issue across Metro Detroit.
The former Macomb County prosecutor is currently before a court to see if there’s probable cause, as prosecutors allege he ran a criminal enterprise and stole thousands of public dollars from forfeiture fund accounts. Two people connected to that case have already pled guilty. (Detroit News)
In a separate case last week, a suburban real estate developer pled guilty to conspiring to commit bribery.
He says the mayor of Taylor steered him the vast majority of suburb’s tax-foreclosed properties in exchange for cash, appliances, and free lake house renovations. (Free Press)
And as of yesterday, a grand jury is looking at the Mayor of Romulus’s campaign finance records after a WXYZ-TV investigation accused him of using the money for yacht club memberships, a new Jeep Wrangler and to pay for part of his daughter’s wedding. (WXYZ)
I’m pretty sure we’re not done with Operation Northern Hook, looking into corruption around municipal towing in the region.
My two cents is that at some point, when do we stop messing around and just get our own trucks and drivers?
Here are some new things….
It’s not all doom and gloom, of course.
The Black Star Initiative is working to build up soccer in the Black community
The Black Star Initiative is doing their launch event in Detroit this weekend in partnership with Detroit City FC. TJ Winfrey, chief of partnerships for DCFC, joined Fletcher on the podcast to talk about what’s happening.
I’m personally glad to see this kind of outreach into the city for a pretty great sport.
For a complete schedule and more information, visit here.
Also, I’ll be joining Fletcher and Engineer Randy at the DCFC game this Saturday. We could capture the Fall season title. I’m pretty sure I’ll be wearing my Daily Detroit jacket, considering the weather. Say hi!
James Oliver coffee is a thing in Corktown
I talked with David Shock about the new place in the old Detroit Institute of Bagels spot at the Lodge and Michigan Avenue. It’s open 7a-3p right now. They did some pretty significant work on the space, opening it up for more seating and making the courtyard more accessible. That conversation is on Wednesday’s episode.
The North End is a step closer to a new food co-op
This development would be down the block and around the corner from our studio. Robin Runyan over at Urbanize has the details and rendering, but it’ll be two stories at Woodward and Euclid and include a co-op grocery, cafe, kitchen, office space and more. (Urbanize)
I’ll mention this here because I’ve heard it a lot lately since sometimes I open the show “From the North End…” The North End neighborhood has been here a very long time. It is not a new name. It’s named this because this used to be the North End of the city when the borders stopped at Highland Park.
New Brush Park Target in the works
A long-rumored Target was finally announced at the corner of Mack and Woodward in Brush Park (or next to the Medical Center, depending on how you want to slice it). It’ll be 32,000 square feet. That’s similar to other city centers, where there’s a focused selection that’s geared for local residents. So they’ll have many of the things a Target has, but fewer brand options and maybe smaller pack sizes.
Officials say there are now more than 25,000 residents and 30,000 college students in the intended service area.
It would be part of a 350 unit City Club Apartments Midtown complex that will rise (pending various city approvals and incentives) with 186 underground parking spaces.
20% of the apartments will be set as "affordable," meaning for people who make 80% of the average median income in the region.
Planned to join the Target is an international bank branch and a restaurant and café with dedicated outdoor seating, according to a news release.
The developers say that they're not releasing ground-breaking or anticipated opening dates for the Midtown mixed-use project or its various components at this time. So stay tuned, as they say.
In case you’re looking for help voting on Tuesday
I’ve interviewed three candidates for city of Detroit offices, including M.L. Elrick for council on Detroit’s east side, Hector Santiago for council in southwest, and Anthony Adams for Mayor. I am not doing endorsements and sent invites to every candidate but this is all who’d show up. But if you want to learn about candidates for yourself, I talked with each one for 20-30 minutes on the issues.
They’ve been downloaded many thousands of times already, but in case you didn’t know, now you know. And today’s show will have a conversation about what the three ballot proposals would mean if adopted.
What I’m listening to
I’m a podcaster who loves podcasts. Going forward, I’m going to highlight an episode of something I’m listening to.
My pick for this edition of the newsletter is an episode of Akimbo by Seth Godin. It’s about pit bulls, the undeserved bad rap they get, and our obsession with specific breeds.
I’ll admit I’m biased, as one of the studio dogs is a foundling with four different breeds in her that turn out to be the kindest combination of pup I’ve ever had. Even if you disagree with me, give it a listen because I think it’s smart.
Until next time, me and Gabby will see you around Detroit.
p.s. Don’t forget to boop Gabby’s snoot and join us on Patreon if you find what we do valuable.
p.p.s. If you’re not already subscribed to our daily podcast, check’em out or search Daily Detroit in your favorite podcast app.
