Detroit councilman indicted, accused of taking bribes over land deal
Detroit City Councilman Gabriel Leland is accused of conspiring to solicit $15,000 in bribes from a local business in exchange for help with a land deal.
A federal grand jury on Thursday, Oct. 4 indicted Leland, 35, on two counts of bribery and a count of conspiracy to commit bribery.
"According to the Indictment, beginning in May 2017, and continuing through August 2017, Councilman Leland conspired with Elisa Grubbs, a campaign worker, to solicit and accept bribes consisting of $15,000 in cash and free auto body work from a local business owner," U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider's office announced. "The indictment further alleges that Leland agreed to help delay or prevent the city's sale of property that the business owner believed he owned in exchange for the bribes.
"Leland is charged with taking a $7,500 cash bribe on August 4, 2017, just four days before the primary election for Detroit City Council."
Read more: https://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2018/10/detroit_councilman_accused_of.html