December 04, 2004

Staff

    This past week Scott Lewis of WJBK-Fox 2 News reported that City of Detroit Councilman Alonzo Bates was paying Britni Barber to work on his staff while she attended college in New York. Barber allegedly earned thirty-eight thousand dollars from a reported $30 per hour. Its been reported that the FBI is looking this allegation. Its unclear if an actual crime was committed, as reported by Lewis, but Timecard Fraud has been prosecuted in the past as another form of embezzlement. It was also reported that Bates signature was on the timecards.

    Bates claimed that Barber only worked during the summer months, when she would have not been in school. But the number of hours she would have to work to cover those hours far exceed the summer months, unless she worked a lot of overtime hours. That would be very unusual and almost impossible for any council staff member any time of the year.

    When confronted by Fox2, Bates had no comment other than to say, “they all do it”. As he drove off in his Lexus to leave the Fox2 news reporter, Scott Lewis, standing in the parking lot, they repeated the past claims about Alonzo Bates and how he has handled public funds. Lastly Fox2 reported that Barber is the daughter of one of the council’s staff whom Bates is very close.

    Bates appeared on Inside Detroit Thursday morning, a radio program that airs every weekday on WCHB and is hosted by Mildred Gaddis. He told her that his actions were standard practice for city council members. Mildred did not allow any phone in questions to Bates nor did she inquire further as to the whereabouts of Barber or if she did indeed get paid while living in New York. It appeared to be damage control ahead of council elections next year.

    After the story ran, Wednesday December 1, the FBI visited Bates Council office to investigate the allegations. No smoking gun has been reported but there was a rumor that some of the timecards came up missing. After leaving Bates’ office the FBI stopped in Councilwoman’s Sheila Cockrel’s office. It’s not clear if they had a warrant for any information but they did leave with an unknown quantity of files. Some of which have been said to be time cards for her staff. Its now been alleged that she has done the same with her staff. Councilwoman Cockrel is said to have been paying the daughter of former Deputy Mayor Freman Hendrix. She also is not living in town and is said to be out of the country.

    Is this the end of the accusations by Bates who stated that this was standard practice? Which other councilpersons, if any, are also signing time cards for people who do not live or work in Detroit. The remaining council members need to make their records available immediately. This type of corruption or scandal could possible ruin the re-election chances to any council member. Or this could derail possible campaigns for other offices. Former councilwoman Kay Everett, who recently passed away, was facing an indictment on charges related to taking bribes and other similar abuses.