DETROIT – The FBI has taken over the investigation into suspected “financial wrongdoing” by the chief financial officer of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, WDIV Local 4 reports.

The conservancy is a nonprofit responsible for the management of the Detroit RiverWalk and associated greenspaces. The area is widely considered to be the face of the city.

Last week, the conservancy board requested a criminal investigation and turned over evidence to the Michigan State Police, the TV station reports. The request was prompted by an independent audit and review of financial statements.

On Tuesday, MSP turned over the investigation to the FBI “due to the nature and complexity of the situation,” Matt Cullen, board chair for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, said in a statement.

CFO William Smith has been placed on unpaid leave and an outside firm has been hired to oversee the nonprofit’s financials, he said.

“The riverfront is a beloved and important asset to the community, and we are committed to building a vibrant space for all metro Detroiters to enjoy,” Cullen said. “As soon as we can, the Conservancy will share with the public and its many stakeholders exactly what happened, how it happened, and our full plans for moving forward.”

Wednesday brings another day of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) across the NFL and another report of the beginnings of a holdout. Late on Tuesday, it was revealed that San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk is skipping out on OTAs while he awaits a new deal from the team.

Ayuik is far from alone in “holdout.” Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson, Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb, Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton, and Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward are just some of the big names who have opted out of the start of OTAs.

While we haven’t had the opportunity to take attendance at Detroit Lions OTAs yet, they are unlikely to have this problem. In the past month, the Lions have gotten all of their big contract negotiations out of the way, inking quarterback Jared Goff, receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and offensive tackle Penei Sewell to long-term deals. Not only does that allow Detroit to get ahead of what is always an ever-increasing market, but now the Lions players can focus on one thing: football.

Sure, OTA participation isn’t the end-all, be-all. We’re talking about practice without full pads and no live contact. But the Lions are a team that has focused on acquiring players who just want to play, and while rules limit what you can do during an OTA practice, it is undoubtedly an opportunity for these players to develop chemistry and get better.

Even though it is considered voluntary, the Lions have always put a high emphasis on OTA attendance. In Year 1 of the Dan Campbell era—in the midst of the COVID pandemic—the Lions had over 80 players on their 90-man roster show up to OTAs.

“To me, that sends a message loud and clear that at least they’ve taken the first step,” Campbell said back in 2021. “They’ve taken the first step and that tells us as coaches, like, they are committed.”

In 2022, the Lions were only missing a handful of players to open OTAs, and in 2023, they, again, reported with well over 80 players present.

So while from the outside looking in, missing OTAs may not seem like a big deal, the Lions clearly emphasize the importance of these practices. And credit to players like Goff, St. Brown, and Sewell for getting these deals done before they become distracting headlines.

The body of a missing Plymouth man, who was last seen on Belle Isle on May 10, was located early Sunday in the Detroit River, said the Michigan Department of Natural Resources on Tuesday.

The body of James Kuntz, 63, was recovered Sunday morning by the U.S. Coast Guard, offshore of Fighting Island in the Detroit River, about 9 miles south of the Detroit Yacht Club on the island, DNR officials said in a news release.

Kuntz was reported missing with his red kayak on May 12, two days after he was last seen wearing a Hawaiian shirt at the yacht club, the DNR said.

Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies worked alongside emergency responders in ground, water and air search efforts for Kuntz, according to the release.

Petty Officer Jessica Fontenette told The Detroit News last week that one of the U.S. Coast Guard’s helicopters was flying over the river while returning from a case, when a crew spotted Kuntz’s kayak near Clay Township, nearly 49 miles northeast of the yacht club.

“This is never how we want to conclude a search, but we hope the recovery of this man’s body can bring closure to his family and friends,” said Lt. Todd Szyska, DNR law enforcement supervisor in Detroit.

Michigan State Police, Detroit police and the U.S. Coast Guard assisted in the search.

The cause of death will be determined by the Wayne County Medical Examiner, the DNR said.

“DNR Law Enforcement Division officers remind boaters to safely enjoy the waters, while remaining prepared with lifejackets, emergency equipment, a boating plan and always boating sober,” the release said.