(WWJ) Former Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith faces up to 21 months in prison after pleading guilty to felony charge of obstruction of justice.
Saying he knew he what he did was wrong, Smith admitted to pressuring two assistant prosecutors and a friend to lie to the FBI as federal agents were investigating him for the misuse of around $74,000 in campaign funds.
Speaking in federal court on Wednesday, Smith said he accepts full responsibility for his actions, adding: "I acted alone; I acted for my own benefit."
The plea was put off twice last year as Smith fought a battle with COVID-19.
Smith told the court it was the sickest he has ever been.
"He had a bit of a tough recovery for about a month or two," Smith's attorney, David Dakmak, told WWJ's Sandra McNeill. "He appears to be doing well, at least to the point that we were confident today that we could move forward with the plea hearing."
As part of the plea deal, Dakmak said Smith has agreed to pay $69,950 in restitution.
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During the plea hearing, Smith apologized to his family. and to the people of Macomb County.
His sentencing is scheduled for noon on April 27.
While having an elected official convicted of federal charges is disheartening to those who voted to put him in office, U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider said the public should have faith in seeing that the system works.
"When there is a rare case where a law enforcement officer commits crimes, he or she will be held accountable. Smith’s case is that kind of case. No one is above the law in Michigan, and that includes those who enforce the law," Schneider said.
"And when you are a corrupt public official, as this office has shown for decades, we're going to following that trail and bring you to justice," he added. "So I think it should be very, very reassuring to the people that this has happened."
Smith is also facing state charges of embezzlement and misconduct in office for his alleged theft from the county's drug forfeiture funds.
Smith resigned from his position as prosecutor in March of last year.
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