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Press Release

Attorney Pleads Guilty to Bribing a Federal Agent, Fraud and Evasion

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Michigan

Charles T. Busse, 57, of Birmingham, Michigan, pleaded guilty today to charges of bribery, conspiracy to defraud the United States, tax evasion and failure to report cash payments of more than $10,000, announced U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade. 

Joining in the announcement was Manny Muriel, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit office of the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, Giovanni Tiano, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit, Michigan office of the Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General and Special Agent in Charge David P. Gelios, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division.

Charles T. Busse pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn in Detroit.

According to court records, Busse admitted to paying bribes to a Special Agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations to obtain numerous deferrals of deportation and other immigration benefits for his clients.  Attorney Busse maintains law offices in Rochester Hills and Dearborn.

Busse also admitted to conspiring to obstruct the lawful function of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security by dishonest means.  In addition, Busse pleaded guilty to criminal tax evasion and violating the federal law that requires an attorney to report any cash payments of more than $10,000.  The crimes are alleged to have occurred between 2009 and 2015.  The four charged crimes carry maximum penalties of between five and fifteen years.

A sentencing date will be set by the court.

U.S. Attorney McQuade commended the outstanding work of the Office of Inspector General of the U.S Department of Homeland Security, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in conducting a comprehensive criminal investigation into potential corruption activities involving a federal law enforcement official.

Updated November 3, 2016

Topic
Public Corruption