Ex-Detroit officer sentenced in towing bribery scheme

DETROIT (AP) — A former Detroit police officer has been sentenced to 2 years and three months in jail for his position in a bribery conspiracy supposed to interrupt guidelines and steer automobiles to a well-liked towing firm.

Daniel Vickers’ sentence was introduced this week by the U.S. Lawyer’s workplace in Detroit.

Vickers and former Detroit police Lt. John F. Kennedy agreed to just accept cash and different gadgets from a towing firm in trade for towing service referrals, in line with the federal government.

The proof included secretly recorded telephone conversations during which referrals had been made to a towing firm that was not on the police division’s rotation record. It may be profitable work: Towing corporations can cost storage charges till a automotive is claimed and even promote a car at public sale after a sure interval.

Vickers, 54, accepted greater than $3,400 in funds from a towing firm in 2018, authorities stated.

Kennedy at one level commanded the police division’s Public Integrity Unit. He accepted practically $15,000 in bribes. The federal government stated he was presupposed to be investigating the towing firm. Kennedy pleaded responsible final summer season to the bribery conspiracy and faces an April 18 sentencing.

Six individuals have been charged as a part of the federal authorities’s investigation.

Metropolis Councilman Andre Spivey pleaded responsible in 2021 to accepting $36,000 in bribes associated to oversight of towing coverage. Spivey resigned.