John Clark Indicted for Bribery in Connection with the Synagro Contract and for Making False Statements to the FBI

An indictment was returned today charging John Clark, of Farmington Hills, Michigan, with accepting bribes in connection with the Synagro sludge hauling contract while chief of staff to then-Detroit City Council President Kenneth Cockrel, United States Attorney Barbara McQuade announced today. McQuade announced that Clark also is charged with lying to agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) during their corruption investigation relating to the Synagro Technologies, Inc. (“Synagro”) contract. The charges were set forth in a fourth superseding indictment issued by a Detroit federal grand jury today.

According to the four-count fourth superseding indictment, on February 20, 2008, defendant Clark accepted $2,000 in cash intending to be influenced or rewarded in connection with his duties as chief of staff to City Council President Cockrel relating to the Synagro contract. On March 11, 2008, Clark accepted an additional $1,000 in cash as a bribe payment for assistance in getting tax abatements for Synagro. In addition, the indictment charges that Clark lied to FBI agents when they interviewed him on June 24, 2008. During the interview, Clark falsely told FBI agents that he never accepted any money from James Rosendall of Synagro. Later during the interview, however, Clark admitted that he had indeed accepted $3,000 in cash from Rosendall, but Clark then falsely claimed that he had subsequently returned the money to Rosendall.

If convicted, Clark faces a maximum of 10 years in prison on each of the two counts of bribery in the Indictment. Clark faces a maximum of five years in prison on each of the two counts of making false statements to the FBI. The iIndictment also seeks forfeiture of $3,000 in payments received by Clark in connection with his bribery.

McQuade was joined in the announcement by FBI Special Agent in Charge Andrew Arena.

United States Attorney McQuade said, “Charges like this should warn other public officials against using their positions for personal profit. The public deserves honest services.”

Andrew Arena, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, stated, "This indictment is part of the continuing investigation into the corruption which has plagued Detroit. Public corruption is a top criminal priority of the FBI and will not be tolerated. This investigation demonstrates the FBI's commitment in investigating public corruption and brings those who betray the public's trust to justice."

This investigation has uncovered no evidence that Councilman Cockrel had any knowledge or role in Clark's illegal conduct, or that the Councilman attempted to influence the investigation in any way.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by agents of the FBI. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David A. Gardey.