FBI agents were raiding the homes of several Detroit City Council members and offices at the city’s Coleman A. Young Municipal Center on Wednesday morning as part of a corruption probe.
An FBI spokesperson said agents were executing search warrants at several residences on Wednesday. The investigation focuses on councilmembers Janee Ayers and Scott Benson.
UPDATE: FBI is focusing investigation around Council members Janee Ayers and Scott Benson.
— Larry Spruill Jr (@LarryWDIVLocal4) August 25, 2021
This comes weeks after a federal investigation led to charges against Councilman Andre Spivey. Spivey is charged with conspiracy to commit bribery. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan said he personally received a $1,000 cash payment from an undercover officer on Oct. 26, 2018 as part of a larger conspiracy that raked in another $34,000.
Special Agent in Charge Tim Waters declined to answer questions when he spoke Wednesday afternoon.
“At this point, why are we doing this? Why are we doing these search warrants? Because the citizens of Detroit have a right to a city government that is free of corruption,” Waters said. “I want to make it clear that no one is being charged today. Simply, what we’re doing today is collecting evidence, which will be presented to the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Eastern District of Michigan. Who will make all decisions on charging in this ongoing investigation.”
Waters said more information will be available to the public in the future.