Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith has been charged with 10 criminal counts including running a criminal enterprise in connection with the alleged misuse of county forfeiture funds. He was arraigned on Friday March 27th in District Court. A not guilty plea was entered on Smith’s behalf, and a probable cause conference has been set for 8:30 a.m. on April 3rd.
Judge Cynthia Arvant set his personal bond at $100,000, ordered his passport surrendered, and ordered that he is not not have contact with his co-defendants or any witnesses. Smith was charged with conducting a criminal enterprise, five counts of embezzlement by a public official, misconduct in office, tampering with evidence, accessory after the fact, and conspiracy to commit forgery.
State officials also allege that the current Prosecutor’s Office operations manager and former Macomb County state representative and county treasurer, Derek Miller, committed misconduct in office and conspiracy to commit a legal act in an illegal manner with Smith. Retired Prosecutor’s Office employee Benjamin Liston is also charged, as is William Weber Jr. who owns a security company.
Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn
