Politics

Years After FBI Raided 2 Detroit Council Members' Homes, No Charges Will Be Filed

January 16, 2025, 10:21 AM by  Allan Lengel


Councilman Benson and ex-Council member Janeé Ayers

In 2021, the FBI raided the homes of Detroit Council members Scott Benson and Janeé Ayers, casting a cloud of suspicion over them. Agents also raided City Hall and the East English Village home of Benson's chief of staff, Carol Banks.

Now, years later we learn that federal prosecutors have closed those cases without plans to file criminal charges against Benson,  Ayers or their chiefs of staff.

Robert Snell of the Detroit News reports:

Benson was notified of the decision by the U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison's office in Detroit on Wednesday, one day after Ayers received the news, according to her lawyer and three sources familiar with the government's decision.

The decision closes at least one aspect of a high-profile federal investigation focused on wrongdoing within the city's towing operations and allegations that city officials received bribes.

The investigation ended up contributing to Ayers losing her re-election bid that year. Benson remains on council.


Read more:  Detroit News


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