Home Detroit Press Releases 2009 Local Business Owner Pleads Guilty in Ecorse Corruption Investigation
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Local Business Owner Pleads Guilty in Ecorse Corruption Investigation

U.S. Attorney’s Office October 16, 2009
  • Eastern District of Michigan (313) 226-9100

An owner of the business Michigan Municipal Services entered a guilty plea as part of the ongoing federal investigation into bribery, fraud and related criminal offenses in the City of Ecorse, United States Attorney Terrence Berg announced today.

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.

Stacy Tarockoff, age 47, of Commerce Township, Michigan entered the felony plea in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan before Judge Avern Cohn on October 15. Under the plea agreement, Tarockoff faces up to 13 months in prison and a fine of up to $30,000.00. The plea agreement also requires Tarockoff to make restitution payments to the City of Ecorse.

The felony conviction arose from Tarockoff’s involvement in illegal cash withdrawals made from the bank accounts of Michigan Municipal Services. By structuring those withdrawals and using a nominee to conduct banking transactions, Tarockoff and his partner at Michigan Municipal Services secretly obtained more than $57,000.00 in cash that should have been disclosed to federal authorities.

U.S. Attorney Berg stated, “This guilty plea is the latest development in the ongoing federal investigation and prosecution involving criminal activities by City of Ecorse officials.”

Mayor Herbert Worthy and City Controller Erwin “Earl” Hollenquest are expected to appear in District Court today to be arraigned on an indictment charging them with bribery, fraud and conspiracy.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The indictment is a result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Judge.

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