Kevin Gunn (Photo: Facebook)
Corruption probes in Metro Detroit are keeping federal agents busy.
FBI agents Tuesday raided a West Bloomfield Township home and arrested two Wayne County employees accused of using taxpayer money to buy power equipment valued at $1.7 million they sold online for personal profit, Robert Snell of The Detroit News reports.
The suspects picked up are Kevin Gunn, 64, of West Bloomfield, and John L. Gibson, 54, of Detroit. Gunn, a 34-year county employee, manages the Wayne County Roads Division's bridge unit. Gibson, a foreman in that unit, has worked for Wayne County for 20 years.
The scheme involved purchases between between Jan. 16, 2019, and Aug. 3, 2021 of 596 generators and other power equipment, including mowers, chainsaws and backpack blowers, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Gunn has filed bankruptcy five times since 1999, The News reports, citing public records. The FBI raid was at Gunn's $684,000 West Bloomfield home near Upper Straits Lake.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office and the sheriff's department were involvled in the probe.
“Today’s arrests reinforce our dedication to prosecuting corrupt public officials who elevate their own greed over the best interests of the public who rely on the safe administration and maintenance of public infrastructures like roads," Detroit U.S. Attorny Dawn Ison says in a statement. "We thank Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, and Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans who have been instrumental in starting and moving this investigation forward.”
Wayne County Sheriff Raphael Washington added:
“The alleged actions of these individuals are nothing short of disgraceful. To brazenly steal from hardworking taxpayers and fraudulently line their own pockets while holding positions of public trust make these crimes all the more deplorable."
