The Detroit suburb of Romulus is at the center of a massive police corruption scandal that includes the city’s ex-police chief.
Officials say in 2008, a “highly placed” Romulus police official asked Michigan State Police to investigate corruption allegations within the department.
Nearly three years later, that investigation has yielded charges against the former police chief, Michael St. Andre; St. Andre’s wife; and five detectives.
Prosecutors say St. Andre and some of the detectives embezzled drug forfeiture money, submitted fake expense reports, falsified police reports, and otherwise stole from the department.
They allege detectives used some of the money to pay for prostitutes, marijuana and alcohol during a questionable investigation at two strip clubs.
St. Andre, who faces 10 total counts, is also charged with trying to obstruct the corruption investigation, and trying to bribe or intimidate witnesses.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy says she just can’t believe it. “After all the stories in the newspapers about various public officials [engaged in wrongdoing], I don’t know how other public officials think they can get away with it.”
Worthy added: “This investigation continues on other fronts.”
All seven defendants were arraigned Tuesday at 34th District Court in Romulus.
