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Robert Ficano e-mail suggests he'll run for re-election despite scandal [Detroit Free Press :: ](Detroit Free Press (MI) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) April 17--Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano appears poised to seek a fourth term as county executive, despite a scandal that has engulfed his administration for 2 1/2 years. Ficano hasn't publicly announced his intentions. but he sent an e-mail this week to supporters labeled "Re-elect Robert A. Ficano." The message urged supporters to attend an invitation-only rally Monday at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers hall in Detroit, where he plans to "define who will lead Wayne County for the next four years." The deadline to enter the race is Tuesday afternoon. Mort Meisner, a spokesman for Ficano's campaign, wouldn't confirm that Ficano is running again but told the Free Press today: "Were in the process of decision-making, and we'll be issuing something tomorrow." Ficano likely faces the toughest fight of his political career, with numerous opponents lined up to challenge him. "It's the biggest long shot in the world," said political consultant Steve Hood, a former Ficano appointee. "But it only costs $100 to enter the race." County Commissioner Kevin McNamara, the son of former County Executive Edward McNamara, and state Rep. Phil Cavanagh, son of former Detroit Mayor Jerome Cavanagh, are both in the race. So is Westland Mayor William Wild, who has snagged the endorsement of William Clay Ford Jr. Former Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans has expressed interest but hasn't formally entered the race. "He's planning that everybody will split up the vote so much that only his core vote will be there," Hood said. "He's also playing the odds that no one else can raise the kind of cash that he can." Ficano has been under fire since September 2011 when he admitted paying a $200,000 severance to his then-chief development officer Turkia Awada Mullin as she left the county to take a better job as CEO of Metro Airport. The payment prompted public outrage and a grand jury investigation. Ficano has denied any wrongdoing, but the probe has netted several former top Ficano aides including: -- Michael Grundy, a former assistant county executive who pleaded guilty to wire fraud, is awaiting sentencing. -- Tahir Kazmi, former chief information officer who pleaded guilty to bribery, is serving 57 months in prison. -- David Edwards, a former deputy to Kazmi who pleaded guilty to bribery, is serving a year in prison. -- Zayd Allebban, who worked with Kazmi and Edwards in the IT department, was convicted of obstructing justice and is serving 41 months in prison. -- Keith Griffin, a childhood friend of Grundy who plead guilty to conspiring with Grundy to commit wire fraud, is scheduled to be sentenced June 5. When federal investigators searched Kazmi's home in February 2012, they acknowledged in court fillings that they were investigating both Mullin and former Deputy County Executive Azzam Elder for corruption, though neither has been charged with any wrongdoing. Ficano faces other hurdles as well. The county has run chronic budget deficits in recent years, prompting fears it could face a state-appointed emergency manager. Ficano also presided over a $300-million jail project that was halted last year amid cost overruns and claims of corruption. A one-man grand jury in Wayne County Circuit Court is reviewing the project to see if laws were broken. "While we have had challenges like any administration, we are energized, focused and determined to continue our mission of making Wayne County the best place to work, live and raise a family," Ficano wrote in the e-mail to supporters. "We all need to come together, not to point fingers, but to join hands as one team, in the interest of fairness, transparency, accountability and opportunity." Contact John Wisely: 313-222-6825 or [email protected]. ___ (c)2014 the Detroit Free Press Visit the Detroit Free Press at www.freep.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |