Troy’s former city manager is in major trouble again – this time, on federal bribery charges.
Brian Kischnick, 50, was charged in a criminal information. It alleges that between September 2015 and March 2018, Kischnick “solicited and accepted cash and other things of value totaling $20,879.50 from a contractor with the intent to be influenced and rewarded in connection with business and transactions …involving that contractor.”
The charges bring the possibility of up to ten years in prison, though a criminal information generally means that a plea deal is in the works.
Kisnick’s tenure as city manager was troubled. The Troy City Council fired him in March, after he was arrested on domestic assault charges. His time there was also marked by allegations of questionable spending.
Kischnick’s attorney could not immediately be reached for comment Friday.
The city of Troy released a statement following the announcement of the criminal charges, which reads in part:
The leadership and employees of the City have fully cooperated with the investigation and are committed to moving forward in serving City residents with the integrity they deserve. “Through his criminal and unethical behavior, Mr. Kischnick has victimized residents, taxpayers, City employees and City Council,” said City Manager Mark Miller. “The City is moving forward with employees that meet the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity.” In order to ensure transparency, City Administration plans to hire a forensic auditor to review City finances. Professional and ethical responsibility training and internal reporting processes are a priority of the City.
Kischnick is yet another public official in metro Detroit to apparently be caught in an ongoing FBI investigation into public corruption in the region. Twenty other people have been charged as a result of that investigation so far, mostly officials and municipal contractors based in Macomb County.
“Those who hold the public’s offices and use them for their own personal gain and enrichment should beware. We will uncover your crimes and hold you fully accountable for your breach of the public’s trust,” Detroit U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider said in a statement. “This office is committed to weeding out corruption everywhere we find it in Southeastern Michigan.”
