Mayor and Controller of Ecorse are Charged with Conspiracy, Bribery, and Fraud

The Mayor of Ecorse, Michigan, HERBERT WORTHY, and the Controller of Ecorse, Michigan, ERWIN “EARL” HOLLENQUEST, were arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging them with conspiracy, bribery and fraud, United States Attorney Terrence Berg announced.

United States Attorney Berg was joined in the announcement by Andrew G. Arena, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit, Michigan Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

HERBERT WORTHY, age 77, of Ecorse, Michigan and ERWIN HOLLENQUEST, age 62, of West Bloomfield, Michigan, will appear in United States District Court in Detroit, Michigan today before the presiding United States Magistrate Judge.

The criminal complaint charges HERBERT WORTHY and ERWIN HOLLENQUEST with corruptly demanding and accepting things of value, including quantities of up to $10,000.00 in cash and a Lexus automobile, in connection with a multimillion dollar contract to perform public works services for the City of Ecorse. The subject contract was awarded to the company Michigan Municipal Services, LLC. Michigan Municipal Services was brought in to replace the Ecorse Department of Public Works within days of HERBERT WORTHY’s election in November of 2007.

According to the criminal complaint, between November 2007 and December 2008, the owners of Michigan Municipal Services made cash payments of up to $10,000.00 at a time to Mayor HERBERT WORTHY to ensure that their company would be selected, retained and paid to provide public works services. During the same time period, the owners of Michigan Municipal Services gave cash payments and a Lexus automobile to Controller ERWIN HOLLENQUEST to insure that their invoices would not be challenged and would be paid in full by the City of Ecorse.

The criminal complaint also charges HERBERT WORTHY and ERWIN HOLLENQUEST with conspiring to defraud the City of Ecorse. According to the complaint, HERBERT WORTHY and ERWIN HOLLENQUEST agreed to allow the owners of Michigan Municipal Service to submit numerous false and fraudulently inflated invoices to the City of Ecorse. The complaint alleges that, between November 2007 and December 2008, Michigan Municipal Services billed the City of Ecorse for more than $3.1 in public works services, which included hundreds of thousands of dollars in false charges.

United States Attorney Terrence Berg said, “Today’s charges follow an intensive and multi-year investigation conducted by this Office and the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I commend the FBI for pursuing this matter expeditiously in order to address serious allegations of corruption and fraud at the highest levels of city government in Ecorse. This investigation is continuing.”

"These charges are just two examples of corrupt government officials who abuse the public trust and confidence," stated Special Agent in Charge Andrew G. Arena. " Public corruption is a top criminal priority of the FBI and will not be tolerated. This investigation demonstrates the FBI's commitment in investigating public corruption and brings those who betray the public's trust to justice."

A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on criminal charges in a complaint. Felony charges may be obtained through indictment by a grand jury.