DETROIT – Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette charged state Rep. Brian Banks, (D-Harper Woods), on Tuesday with four felonies stemming from the repayment of a loan before he took office.
Banks was charged with two counts of uttering and publishing, one count of false statements as to financial condition and one count of false statements to defraud or cheat.
The charges stem from a personal loan from the Detroit Metropolitan Credit Union in 2010.
If convicted, Banks faces a possible 14 years in prison for each of the two uttering and publishing charges, and six 6 years for the false statements and false pretenses counts. He also faces an $11,000 fine.
However, Banks is a fourth time habitual offender, which can potentially carry a life sentence.
Banks released the following statement:
“Based on the facts, the ridiculous nature of the charges, and timing, it is clear that the charges are politically motivated. There is no other logical explanation.”
Banks also said he is looking forward to his day in court, calling the charges ridiculous and politically motivated.