MACOMB TWP. (WWJ) - Michigan State Police have raided the home of Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith.
State Police investigators were on the scene Tuesday, serving a search warrant at Smith's private residence, in the area of 26 Mile Rd. and Romeo Plank in Macomb Township.
Late in the morning, police could be seen on a ladder removing a surveillance camera from Smith's house.
These developments come just short of a month after State Police raided Smith's office in Mt. Clemens in connection with a criminal probe.
Lt. Darren Green of the MSP Special Investigations Unit said the raids are part of continuing investigation into Smith and his usage of Macomb County forfeiture funds, and that State Police are handling the case at the request of the Michigan Attorney General's Office, to avoid any conflict of interest.
He said they're doing it by the book.
"Macomb County's a part of our Second District," Green explained. "So just to make sure there's a fair and impartial investigation we brought our detectives in from Lansing that don't deal with Mr. Smith's prosecutor's office on a daily basis."
Green told WWJ's Ron Dewey that Smith cooperated with detectives at his home.
"But cooperating, I mean he didn't offer any resistance, or give our investigators a hard time by trying to obstruct them...or prohibit them from doing what they came to do," Green said.
As for what investigators are after, concerned parties have told WWJ that questions surround the handling of up to $900,000 in forfeiture funds by Smith's office, from drunken driving and other arrests -- including money allegedly spent on parties and credit cards.
Speaking to reporters last month, Smith acknowledged this "doesn't look great," but said he welcomes the AG's investigation as he has nothing to hide.
Smith remained at his house during Tuesday's raid, but left soon after without commenting to reporters.
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."
No charges have been filed in the case.