Fred Berry could be awarded a no bid contract if the Wayne County Board of Commissioners approves.
DETROIT (WJBK) -
Sleek styling, plush leather and eight track stereophonic sound -- being chauffeured around in a Cadillac might be cool for the mayor of Las Vegas, but not the CEO of the most broke county in Michigan. But there he goes again, Wayne County's top dog Bob Ficano trying to sneak one of his three chauffeurs on the payroll.
Look at it this way. We laid off 26 prosecutors because we don't have enough money. The county is $150 million in the hole. The pension is only half funded. The jail is over budget. But Ficano never wants for a ride.
We told you last year he was paying his old pal Fred Berry out of Homeland Security to drive him around, plus Barry's pension, plus the cars cost you the taxpayer nearly $200,000 a year. The president of the United States doesn't pay his drivers that much.
However, instead of cutting back like he promised on his appointees or his chauffeurs, Ficano is trying to get his old pal Berry paid from the Department of Children and Family Services. Ficano says Berry will drive him around just three days a month plus get the oil changed, but most of the time he'll be supervising adults picking up garbage on the side of the highway. Seriously.
How do I get a job like that? $55,000 for nine months work on a no bid contract.
"In all good conscience can't give any money to people who are not necessary to do the work," said Ilona Varga, chairwoman of the Wayne County Public Safety Commission.
"So we're hiring chauffeurs and laying off prosecutors?" I asked her.
"That's the reality right now," she replied.
The full board of county commissioners is expected to vote on the contract this Thursday.
UPDATE: Fred Berry is no longer requesting the contract as of March 20.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-05-17 21:25:50 GMT
Following Minister Louis Farrakhan's message on Friday, Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff hit the streets to scrounge around for some available investment properties, and guess what he found?
Following Minister Louis Farrakhan's message on Friday, Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff hit the streets to scrounge around for some available investment properties, and guess what he found?
Thursday, May 16 2013 7:45 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:45:45 GMT
Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff attended a Detroit City Council meeting. On the agenda, some questions about a developer who is being allowed to take his time paying back a $19-million dollar loan.
On Thursday, Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff attended a Detroit City Council meeting. On the meeting agenda, some questions about a developer with connections to city hall who received a letter that told him he was allowed to take his time paying back a $19-million dollar loan.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 11:16 PM EDT2013-05-16 03:16:04 GMT
Dave Bing might run for Wayne County executive, but a condition is the officer holder must be a county resident. Charlie LeDuff decides to help his old buddy out with a few options on where he can live.
Dave Bing might run for Wayne County executive, but a condition is the officer holder must be a county resident. Charlie LeDuff decides to help his old buddy out with a few options on where he can live.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:06 PM EDT2013-05-14 23:06:18 GMT
It has been six weeks since two Detroit police officers were wounded and a suspect killed during a shootout. Now some questions have arisen and they involve Detroit EMS. Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff reports.
It has been six weeks since two Detroit police officers were wounded and a suspect killed during a shootout. Now some questions have arisen and they involve Detroit EMS. Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff reports.
Wednesday, May 8 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-08 22:25:04 GMT
FOX 2 has confirmed that 101-WRIF Radio morning show hosts "Drew and Mike" will be replaced by Dave and Chuck of the Freak, the former 89X duo. The last 'Drew and Mike" broadcast is scheduled for May
The last WRIF 'Drew and Mike' show will be May 17 after the duo's contract was not renewed. Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff gets an exclusive interview in the parking lot of WRIF studios.
Charlie LeDuff: Off The ChainCharlie LeDuff: Off The ChainMore>>
Friday, May 3 2013 6:10 PM EDT2013-05-03 22:10:10 GMT
LeDuff: Let me offer a short list of things acting Bob Mayor Warfield can accomplish in his few remaining days in office. Things that could cement his legacy as one of Detroit's greats.
LeDuff: Let me offer a short list of things acting Bob Mayor Warfield can accomplish in his few remaining days in office. Things that could cement his legacy as one of Detroit's greats.
Sunday, April 21 2013 9:33 AM EDT2013-04-21 13:33:35 GMT
Coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings has been equally breathless and embarrassing. Spot reports from media outlets who once prided themselves on accuracy and reliability have been little better than Twitter feeds.
Coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings has been equally breathless and embarrassing. Spot reports from media outlets who once prided themselves on accuracy and reliability have been little better than Twitter feeds.
Monday, April 15 2013 7:21 AM EDT2013-04-15 11:21:31 GMT
I went to the dentist Friday morning and got my tooth drilled. My head was numb from the Novocain. I needed a place to hide where nobody would notice. I found it: Detroit city hall!
I went to the dentist Friday morning and got my tooth drilled. My head was numb from the Novocain. I needed a place to hide where nobody would notice. I found it: Detroit city hall!
Friday, April 5 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-04-06 00:43:42 GMT
Unknown to the citizens, the police officers and even the emergency manager himself, Interim Detroit Police Chief Chester Logan was quietly conferred full chieftain status.
Unknown to the citizens, the police officers and even the emergency manager himself, Interim Detroit Police Chief Chester Logan -- as he has been called for the past five months since Chief Ralph Godbee was bounced from office -- was quietly conferred full chieftain status.
Monday, April 1 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-04-01 13:07:47 GMT
Emmett Moten owns the Hotel Fort Shelby in Detroit. He owes $170,000 in back property taxes. He has until Monday at 5 p.m. to pay a portion of the back taxes or face foreclosure.
Emmett Moten owns the Hotel Fort Shelby in Detroit. He owes $170,000 in back property taxes. He has until Monday at 5 p.m. to pay a portion of the back taxes or face foreclosure.
Monday, March 25 2013 9:52 AM EDT2013-03-25 13:52:46 GMT
Imagine Captain Edward Smith of the Titanic summoning his pursers to the wheelhouse after his ill-fated ship struck the iceberg. "Quickly gentlemen!" he shouts. "Rearrange the deck chairs. Perhaps no one will notice!"
Imagine Captain Edward Smith of the Titanic summoning his pursers to the wheelhouse after his ill-fated ship struck the iceberg. "Quickly gentlemen!" he shouts. "Rearrange the deck chairs. Perhaps no one will notice!"
Monday, March 18 2013 10:12 AM EDT2013-03-18 14:12:24 GMT
Many people are concerned about Belle Isle's future. The EFM is promising not to make any hasty decisions and to review the numbers first, but that could be a problem. There is no Belle Isle budget.
Now that Detroit has an emergency financial manager, a lot of people are concerned about the future of Belle Isle. Kevyn Orr is promising not to make any hasty decisions and to look over the numbers first, but that could be a problem. There is no Belle Isle budget.
Tuesday, March 12 2013 2:19 PM EDT2013-03-12 18:19:44 GMT
LeDuff: I don't know if an emergency manager can work in the city of Detroit. If anyone says different, they are lying. But I have to agree with one Detroiter's view, "Anything's better than what we've got right now."
LeDuff: I don't know if an emergency manager can work in the city of Detroit. If anyone says different, they are lying. But I have to agree with one Detroiter's view, "Anything's better than what we've got right now."
Friday, May 17 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:55:04 GMT
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said Don Graunstadt.
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said the CEO of North American Operations for the electric car company.
Friday, May 17 2013 10:19 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:19:58 GMT
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:43:34 GMT
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:48 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:48:59 GMT
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:26:25 GMT
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit's pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city.
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit's pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city where the movement started more than 80 years ago.
Fred Berry could be awarded a no bid contract if the Wayne County Board of Commissioners approves.
