Councilwoman Mary Sheffield
In politics, perceptions can be important. Associating with certain people can cast a cloud over a politician, rightly or wrongly.
M.L. Elrick of Fox 2 reports that Detroit City Councilwoman Mary Sheffield, a newcomer to the council, is using businessman Chris Jackson to help raise campaign funds -- the same man who was once accused of bribing then-Councilwoman Monica Conyers for a vote. Elrick reports that the feds gave Jackson immunity to testify in a corruption trial relating to the bribe.
Now, Elrick reports that Jackson, a businessman who is also a treasurer for the city of Detroit's Building Authority Commission, in his spare time, helps raise money for politicians, politicians like Mary Sheffield.
Jackson is one of 10 people hosting Sheffield's second annual "Tis the Season" political fundraiser on Thursday night.
Elrick says:
The holidays are a season for giving, so it probably shouldn't shock you that a politician wants you to give her some dough. What you may find surprising is who she's using to raise that campaign cash. What should Detroiters think when they see someone who tried to bribe a councilwoman now raising money for a councilwoman?
Sheffield tells Elrick there shouldn't be a concern about her using Jackson.
"Whatever happened in the past, I think he has moved on, and since then he has served the city with honor," Sheffield says.
"He's one of several hosts on my committee," Sheffield said. "And again he has served as a host for several elected officials in the city and state for the last 18 years. Again, he has served the citizens of the city since I've been elected. He's done an outstanding job. I'm honored to have him as a host."
Jackson got involved in the "pay to play" culture several years ago at city hall and gave money to Sam Riddle, who was an aide and adviser to Councilwoman Conyers. Elrick reports that Jackson says Riddle told him it would cost $25,000 to get Conyers to vote for a strip club, Deja Vu, downtown. Jackson wanted to put ATM machines in Deja Vu's clubs.
Elrick reports that the owners off Deja Vu said they didn't want to pay Riddle for Conyers' vote. But Jackson decided on his own to give Riddle's company a check for $10,000 and a check for $15,000.
Elrick reports that a few years later Jackson was given immunity to testify at Riddle's public corruption trial. The first trial ended in a hung jury, but Riddle later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in prison.
Jackson issued a statement to Fox 2:
Nearly 10 years ago, Mr. Jackson became one person in a long line of people who were victimized during an era marked by political corruption in the city. He was a witness for the federal government in their successful prosecution of several people. Chris Jackson's courage, cooperation and testimony helped end public corruption in the city."
Elrick notes in his report that Chris Jackson isn't the only guy "who paid to play" who Sheffield has been associated with. Last year we saw Sheffield posing with Rayford Jackson in a photo she posted on Facebook.
Elrick states:
Rayford Jackson is not related to Chris Jackson - but they have something in common: they both tried to buy former councilwoman Monica Conyers' vote. He served five years in prison.
In his report in July 2014, Elrick said that he wasn't suggesting she was involved in wrongdoing, but may have used bad judgment. Elrick suggested that the photo, which was taken down from her Facebook page last year, sends the wrong message to citizens.
As for Jackson, Sam Riddle tells Elrick:
Detroit knows, political insiders in particular know, who and what a Chris Jackson is. The smart ones smile, even shake his hand and keep steppin'. The problem is when you pause with Chris Jackson. And how long do you pause, and how he pimps your political office for his well-being.
