DETROIT (WWJ) -- Detroit City Council President and mayoral candidate Mary Sheffield has categorically denied any wrongdoing after ethics questions were raised regarding concert tickets she received from Comerica Bank.
The Sheffield campaign told the Detroit Free Press she inquired about tickets to the Jeezy concert at the Fox Theatre earlier this month, after she got several requests from community members and supporters of neighborhood events.
Sheffield's spokesman told the Freep that Sheffield did not use the tickets herself, but give them to two community members with a history of giving back to Detroit and its residents.
Sheffield's opponent in the Mayoral campaign, Soloman Kinloch, said receiving the tickets is a clear violation of Detroit's charter and claims this is "yet another warning sign that a culture of corruption is creeping back into City Hall."
In a statement sent to WWJ Newsradio 950 inquiring about these allegations, Brittni Brown, Mary Sheffield Mayoral Campaign Communication Spokesperson said:
"The City of Detroit’s Corporation Counsel has made it clear that the City’s ethics ordinance was not violated. It is unfortunate that our opponent and his campaign continue to supply columnists with frivolous information in an attempt to influence the outcome of this election. Council President Sheffield remains focused on the issues that matter most to everyday Detroiters.
"For clarity, Section 2-106.4 of the ethics ordinance specifically prohibits a public servant from accepting gifts, gratuities, or honoraria from any entity or person seeking official action from the City of Detroit. This is not applicable with respect to Comerica Bank because they are not a business partner with the City of Detroit. This will serve as our official and only statement on this matter."
Sheffield, viewed by many as the front-runner in the race, earned a large majority of the votes — more than 50% — in the city's Aug. 6 primary. Rev. Kinloch came in a distant second, with just over 17%.