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DETROIT NEWS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2011
A former president of River Rouge City Council
has been arrested and charged with bribery in connection with his favorable vote
for a prescription drug contract, according to a news release issued by
Michigan's attorney general.
The charge
against Anthony Laginess stems from a Michigan State Police investigation into
embezzlement by River Rouge's former prescription drug manager, Adam Korejsza.
Attorney General Bill Schuette says Korejsza bribed Laginess $5,000 for his 2006
vote to approve a city contract with Korejsza's firm.
Korejsza has
pleaded guilty to embezzlement, racketeering and tax evasion. He's in jail
awaiting sentencing April 11 in Wayne County Circuit Court.
Korejsza's
company, Manhattan Group, approached River Rouge about a contract to serve as
the city's prescription drug insurance manager in the fall of 2006. Laginess,
then the body's president, had expressed opposition to Korejsza's company
receiving the contract.
Authorities
allege that Laginess accepted a $5,000 cash bribe from Korejsza before the vote.
Manhattan Group later secured the contract and began serving the city in January
2007. River Rouge Mayor Michael D. Bowdler was not immediately available for
comment. A message seeking comment from Laginess at a Southgate home was not
answered.
Schuette said Laginess was arrested Tuesday in Florida and
released on $10,000 bond. He faces arraignment March 10 in River Rouge's 26th
District Court. If convicted, he could receive a 10-year prison term.
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