DETROIT (WWJ) - Cash, cars, car parts, car repairs and carpet are all involved in a conspiracy and bribery case against two members of the Detroit Police Department.
According to a 20-page indictment obtained by WWJ Newsradio 950, Lt. John F. Kennedy, 56, of Rochester Hills and Officer Daniel Vickers, 54, of Livonia conspired to accept bribes in exchange for providing towing work to an undisclosed towing company, prosecutors allege.
Vickers was allegedly accepting thousands in cash bribes and carpeting for his home. Kennedy was allegedly accepting car repairs, cars — such as a BMW and a used 2016 Ford Escape — and thousands of dollars in cash.
This lengthy scheme — lasting from May 2017 to September of this year—started with the intent to have Kennedy promise to use his influence as supervisor of the DPD’s Integrity Unit--a component of the department’s Internal Affairs Division — to persuade other officers to make towing referrals to the undisclosed tower. All of this was in violation of DPD policy and an ordinance which restricts companies from receiving referrals if not included in the police department’s towing rotation.
In text transcripts included in the indictment, Vickers reassures the tower that he will be steering all towing of cars involved in accidents to the towing company.
“U don’t have to keep telling me that u r one the best people in my life that looks out for me I will do whatever I can to return the favor,” Vickers wrote in a text message to the tower. “That’s why I call u GODFATHER.”
It was further part of the conspiracy, stated in the indictment, that Kennedy and Vickers allegedly solicited and accepted bribes in exchange for providing the undisclosed tower with propriety information about the status of DPD’s Integrity Unit’s investigation into the towing company.
Vickers told the undisclosed tower that he was Kennedy's alleged "go-between," and that Kennedy would have told Vickers if the tower had any problems with the police department.
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Kennedy and Vickers are each charged with three bribery counts and one count of bribery conspiracy.
If convicted they face up to 10 years in federal prison.
In a statement, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s office said this is something they were expecting, which validates the “sense of urgency" Police Chief James White and the mayor have in regard to reforming the towing process.
White says in a statement that he is profoundly disappointing with the crimes allegedly committed by these officers and that he will continue to cooperate with the FBI in their investigation. He goes on to say that there will be a continuation in rooting out the corruption and restoring trust in the towing process.
"The department has already implemented sweeping changes, and there are more to come. Our community deserves honest actors and policing excellence," said White. "We are committed to being fully transparent throughout this process."