MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. (AP) - Macomb County’s prosecutor was arraigned on corruption charges Friday in connection with allegations that he ran a criminal enterprise and embezzled $600,000 for country club catering, home security cameras and other perks.
Michigan’s Attorney General’s office said Eric Smith appeared in district court via video on charges of misconduct in office, embezzlement and conducting a criminal enterprise.
Smith’s former assistant prosecutor and chief of operations, Benjamin Liston, was also arraigned Friday on the same charges.
Starting in 2012, Smith tapped accounts holding money from drunken driving cases, bad check cases and assets forfeited in drug crimes, according to the attorney general’s office. In 2018, he closed bank accounts and turned over $233,000 to the county.
“For government to work, public officials must be accountable to the people and there must be a relationship built on transparency and trust to protect the public from abuses of power,” Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, said Friday in a statement.
Smith, a Democrat who first was elected in 2004, had repeatedly declared his innocence. His attorney has claimed the charges were “politically motivated.”
The Associated Press left a voicemail Friday seeking comment from the attorney, Martin Crandall, on Smith’s arraignment.
Smith and others used money to buy “flowers and makeup for select secretaries, a security system for Smith’s residence, garden benches for staffers’ homes, country club catering for parties, campaign expenditures and more,” the state said.
Nessel filed charges Tuesday against Smith, Liston, current Macomb Assistant Prosecutor Derek Miller and businessman William Weber. Macomb County judges recused themselves and the case was assigned to a judge from neighboring Oakland County.
Smith and Liston were released on $100,000 personal bonds. Smith’s probable cause conference was scheduled for April 3. A preliminary examination will be held April 9. Liston waived his probable cause conference and is scheduled for an April 9 preliminary exam.
All hearings will be held remotely.
Miller was expected to be arraigned at a later date.
Weber was arraigned Tuesday afternoon and released on a $100,000 bond. His probable cause conference has been scheduled for May 19.
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