© 2024 MICHIGAN PUBLIC
91.7 Ann Arbor/Detroit 104.1 Grand Rapids 91.3 Port Huron 89.7 Lansing 91.1 Flint
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Former Macomb County Prosecutor pleading guilty to obstruction of justice

steve carmody
/
Michigan Radio

Former Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith has agreed to plead guilty to obstruction of justice. 

U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider says Smith stole money from his personal political campaign fund.   Schneider says Smith used the money for his own “personal whims.”

Schneider says the long-time Macomb County Prosecutor tried to get a friend and two of his assistant prosecutors to lie to the FBI as part of a cover-up.

“Smith tried to convince his associate to falsely tell the FBI that the $55,000, kicked back to Smith, was simply a loan that Smith would repay,” says Schneider.

Schneider says Smith was trying to obstruct a federal grand jury’s investigation. 

Federal prosecutors say between 2012 and 2020, Smith conducted two fraud schemes to steal approximately $75,000 in cash from his political campaign fund to use for personal expenses.

Eric Smith served as Macomb County Prosecutor for 16 years, until his resignation in March.

Under a plea agreement, Smith could be sentenced to at least 15 months in federal prison.

Smith is also facing a state investigation into his use of drug forfeiture funds.

"The Michigan Attorney General’s cases in this matter, including charges against Mr. Smith, remain in active litigation and we cannot comment further at this tim," says AG office spokesman Ryan Jarvi..

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting.