DETROIT (WWJ) -- The next stop for the former CFO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy will be jail.
A federal judge has ordered William Smith to report to prison on Tuesday, Aug. 12, to begin his 19 year sentence.
The 52-year-old pleaded guilty to a massive fraud scheme in which prosecutors said, over the course of a decade, he embezzled $44 million that was supposed to be used to beautify the Detroit Riverfront.
Instead, authorities said Smith spent the money on jewelry, airfare and hotels, NFL tickets, limousines, luxury Gucci and Louis Vuitton gear and other personal expenses, including massive credit card bills.
Last week, a federal judge denied a request by Smith to extend his self-surrender date for medical reasons. This comes after a previous 60-day extension was already granted for medical reasons.
According to the Detroit Free Press, U.S. District Judge Susan DeClercq said Smith has asked to delay his prison term for a "reasonable time period" to allow for medical treatment and recovery from that treatment. "He received such medical treatment," DeClercq said in her denial. "He has not shown any basis to extend his report date a second time."
Details regarding Smith's medical issue were not publicly disclosed.
Smith served as the DRFC’s CFO from 2011 until he was fired in May of 2024.