Scheme Exposed! Michigan Mayor and Developer Turned City Into Personal Piggy Bank
A real estate developer and a former mayor turned Taylor’s redevelopment program into their personal piggy bank—now both are headed to prison. 🌐 #News #DetroitMI #Michigan #Crime
DETROIT, MI – In a scheme involving cash, home renovations, and tax-foreclosed properties, a Michigan real estate developer has been sentenced to prison for bribing a former mayor. The sentencing brings closure to a case of public corruption that compromised trust in the City of Taylor’s redevelopment efforts.
Real Estate Developer Bribed Mayor with Cash and Renovations
Shady Awad, 44, provided then-Mayor Richard Sollars with bribes between 2016 and 2018, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. The bribes included extensive home improvements to Sollars’ primary residence and his lake house, along with cash, appliances, and other items of value.
Court documents reveal that the total value of goods and services Awad provided to Sollars reached $85,011.73. In return, Sollars ensured Awad would benefit from the city’s Right of First Refusal (ROFR) program, which allowed Taylor to acquire tax-foreclosed properties from Wayne County for redevelopment.
Abuse of Power in Taylor’s Redevelopment Program
With Sollars’ influence, Awad was awarded most of the tax-foreclosed properties acquired through the ROFR program. Sollars recommended Awad’s projects to the Taylor City Council, helping the developer secure a favorable position in the redevelopment process meant to serve the community.
Prison Sentences for Developer and Former Mayor
Awad received a sentence of one year and one day in federal prison. Sollars, now 50, was previously sentenced to 71 months—nearly six years—for accepting bribes and engaging in wire fraud.
U.S. Attorney and FBI Officials Respond
U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison emphasized that both public officials and private citizens will face accountability for engaging in bribery. In a statement, Ison said, “Mr. Awad’s conviction and sentence should send a strong message that not only will public officials who accept bribes be brought to justice by my office, but also, those who seek to gain an advantage by bribing public officials will face serious consequences as well.”
Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan, added, “Mr. Awad and the former Mayor of Taylor unlawfully corrupted the City of Taylor’s real estate redevelopment program, meant to benefit the city and its residents, for their own private gain. FBI Michigan’s Detroit Area Corruption Task Force remains committed to rigorously investigating public corruption, especially individuals who cheat the system by bribing public officials.”
A Case of Betrayed Trust
The sentencing marks a significant moment in the fight against public corruption in Taylor. Both Awad and Sollars exploited a program intended to revitalize the community, betraying the trust of residents in the process. Authorities stress that the justice system will continue to target corruption at every level to protect public interests.
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