(WWJ) A Lansing source indicates that Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith will turn himself in to be arraigned on charges stemming from an investigation into misuse of office funds.
Initially, WWJ's Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick believed charges would come Monday. Later, a spokesperson with Attorney General Dana Nessel's office told the Macomb Daily her office expects to file charges "shortly" against the longtime prosecutor, and news outlets were invited to a remote press conference Tuesday.
Charges against Smith are expected to be the topic. At issue is $2 million in forfeiture funds collected by his office.
The situation came to light when Michigan State Police raided Smith's tony Macomb County home last year and were seen leaving with computers and cell phones.
Surveillance cameras mounted to his home were also removed.
The warrant request indicated Investigators were searching for "all documents and records related to funds received from drug forfeitures, operating while intoxicated vehicle forfeitures, the bad check restitution program, and the Warren drug court from December 2011 to November 2018."
One allegation said Smith put $900,000 in an account only he could access.
"What's happening here is the prosecutor has been assessing the fine of the $900 and not turning the money over to the county treasurer and it's not being appropriated through the normal channel of officials. Instead, he's been putting the money into bank accounts for many years that only he had access to," Macomb Commissioner Leon Drolet told WWJ's Charlie Langton at the time.
Speaking to reporters a year ago, Smith acknowledged this "doesn't look great," but said he welcomes the AG's investigation as he has nothing to hide.
He later issued the following statement via email:
"This morning, as you know, members of the Michigan State Police appeared at my home as part of their investigation into the Macomb County Prosecutor's Forfeiture Fund. My family and I complied with their requests and cooperated fully, as I have promised to do from the beginning of this process. I will continue to cooperate fully and supply the State Police with any information they need to conclude their investigation."