Updated: Monday, 11:54 a.m. -- Robert Snell of the Detroit News reports that the feds will soon decide whether Robert Ficano or anyone else will be charged criminally in an ongoing probe in to corruption inside the Wayne County executive’s administration.
"We are winding down. We have some additional avenues we need to pursue. We hope we are close to reaching a decision on whether any additional people will be charged,” U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade told the News. “We hope to make a decision on charges early next year.”
Ficano lost his bid for re-election and will be stepping down at the end of the year.
Sources have told Deadline Detroit in the past couple months that it didn't appear there was evidence to indict Ficano for any wrongdoing.
That of course, could change.
-- Allan Lengel
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From earlier today
As Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano prepares to leave office, it's time to look back.
Steve Pardo of the Detroit News writes that Ficano, 62, who lost in his last re-election bid, faced too many scandals in the past few years: A stalled jail project, public furor over staff payouts and the conviction of four former aides in a federal corruption probe.
"Those things start adding up," Joe DiSano, a Democratic strategist in Lansing, told the News. "He just had scandal after scandal after scandal and that took its toll."
"I think he made the mistake of trusting the wrong people," DiSano said. "The problem is the real legacy is going to be overshadowed by things he wasn't directly responsible for. I've never heard anyone accuse Bob Ficano of being a crook. And I think that's important."
Sources say that while Ficano has been under FBI investigation, there appears to be no evidence to date to suggest he'll face any charges.
The News writes:
Still, as he prepares to finish more than 30 years in county government at the end of the month, Ficano insists he is leaving with his head held high and no regrets.
"I feel really fortunate. I've had 32 years of public service — 20 as sheriff and then 12 as county exec," he said. "Now it's just about working with the transition team."
