MI Prosecutor Quits Over Forfeiture Fund Charges

Macomb County, Mi., Prosecutor Eric Smith, accused of embezzlement and misconduct in office over how drug and alcohol forfeiture funds were spent, resigned Monday, the Detroit Free Press reports. The announcement came less than a week after the longtime prosecutor was charged with 10 criminal counts by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office in a nearly yearlong probe of how his office spent funds. Smith said he intended to “whole-heartedly defend” himself against the allegations.

“I have been part of the criminal justice system for close to thirty years,” he said. “I have absolute confidence that our cherished justice system will bring forth the truth and exonerate me.” On Friday, Smith and his former chief of operations, Benjamin Liston, were released on $100,000 personal bonds on criminal charges related to the alleged embezzlement of $600,000 from drug and alcohol forfeiture funds since 2012. They and two others, including Derek Miller, who was Smith’s current chief of operations, are charged in the probe by Michigan State Police. Investigators found that Smith and other defendants used the money to buy flowers and makeup for secretaries, a security system for Smith’s residence, garden benches for staffers’ homes, country club catering for parties, campaign expenditures and more.