Chuck Rizzo, the former CEO of Rizzo Environmental Services, a garbage hauling company, has been indicted along with others on multiple charges after he allegedly used his business to foster a criminal enterprise.
Rizzo is accused of bribing officials to get hauling contracts, as well as stealing money from his company, which was majority-owned at the time by a private equity firm.
Federal officials say Rizzo referred to the money he stole as "OPM," meaning "other people's money." He is accused of using some of of the stolen funds to build himself a mansion in Bloomfield Township.
Rizzo's father and top officials in several Macomb County municipalities also face charges for their roles in the schemes.
Attorneys with the U.S. Department of Justice believe there could be more people involved in conspiracies linked to Rizzo, and they're urging people with information to contact them.
"Our citizens are entitled to decisions based on the best interests of the public, not the best interests of politicians who accept bribes from bribe-paying contractors," says acting U.S. Attorney Daniel Lemisch.
