Hackel calls for state AG investigation into Macomb County Prosecutor’s FORFEITURE fund

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel is calling for a state investigation into a controversial, obscure fund controlled by county Prosecutor Eric Smith.

Hackel made the comments Saturday, two days after the county Board of Commissioners fired UHY Advisors as the firm to conduct a forensic audit of the fund only one day after it voted to hire UHY.

The board removed UHY because of the company’s ties to Hackel’s campaign. The board learned UHY managing partner Harold Burns is the treasurer of Hackel’s campaign committee, and UHY’s address at 12900 Hall Road in Sterling Heights is also the committee’s address.

Hackel said he has concerns that Eric Smith’s brother, county board Chairman Bob Smith, was involved in “orchestrating” the removal of UHY with the county board attorney.

“He (Bob Smith) should remove himself from the process,” Hackel. “A state agency should be brought in to look at this. The state or the Attorney General should come in. Something isn’t right here.

“Bob Smith tried to give some indication of impropriety with UHY. I think if there is any question of impropriety, it is the board chairman directing how this process works out.”

Hackel plans to meet Monday with the county attorneys and his own attorney to affirm his desire to seek an investigation from Attorney General Dana Nessel. He said he doesn’t need board approval.

Bob Smith did not comment directly but provided a statement from the county board.

The statement released Friday says the removal “allows the board to conduct further due diligence in selecting a firm to perform an independent forensic audit of the Prosecuting Attorney Local Forfeiture funds. … The board takes its role in ensuring accurate and in-depth oversight is provided seriously.”

Hackel called the board’s move against UHY “slanderous.”

UHY was removed at Thursday’s board meeting in a unanimous vote shortly after board members learned of the ties to Hackel. The initial vote Wednesday was made by the Finance/Audit/Budget Committee, which is comprised of the entire 13-member board.

Finance/Audit/Budget Committee Chairwoman Veronica Klinefelt, D-Eastpointe, said the board wants to avoid the appearance of any conflict of interest.

“The board felt that for appearances we shouldn’t select anybody who has a relationship with any of us” involved in the issue, she said after the meeting.

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