It's no surprise that a trash hauling company that does business around Metro Detroit would have generously contributed to politicians and special-interest groups.
Robert Snell of the Detroit News reports that Sterling Heights-based Rizzo Environmental Services, which finds itself in the middle of a large-scale FBI bribery investigation focused on Macomb County, has have given more than $310,000 to politicians and special-interest groups in recent years.
The company has suddenly been thrust in the public light since Thursday when federal authorities announced the first arrest and charges in the case against Clinton Township Trustee Dean Reynolds, a candidate for township supervisor, for allegedly taking bribes in exchange for his vote on municipal contracts.
In all, he his charged with accepting between $50,000 to $70,000 in cash from the company’s representative. Additionally, the feds allege that Reynolds accepted $17,000 in cash payments from an undercover agent of the FBI, with the payments being video recorded.
The News reports:
State and local campaign-finance records show dozens of contributions across Metro Detroit in recent years, illustrating the scope of Rizzo’s political influence at a time when the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office say they are investigating systemic corruption in southeast Michigan, primarily Macomb County.
A Rizzo spokesman acknowledged the company is cooperating with investigators after the FBI said an unnamed businessman admitted bribing Reynolds in exchange for favorable treatment on an $18 million contract.
“In this, as in all matters, we’re cooperating with the legal authorities,” Rizzo spokesman Joseph Munem said in a statement. “We will follow their guidance so long as it may be required in the coming weeks.” Rizzo founder Chuck Rizzo Jr. and Chief Operating Officer Jeff Rizzo could not be reached for comment.
