Ex-Macomb County public works boss sentenced to prison as part of extortion probe

Anthony Marrocco had faced up to 20 years in prison

By Steve Neavling

Mar 16, 2023 at 3:31 pm

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Macomb County

Former Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Anthony Marrocco.

Former Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Anthony Marrocco was sentenced Thursday to three months in prison and at least 450 days of house arrest for attempted extortion.

Marrocco, 74, tried to extort a developer by threatening to withhold a county permit if he didn’t buy tickets to a campaign fundraiser.

As part of a plea agreement in September, Marrocco pleaded guilty to attempted extortion in exchange for prosecutors dismissing three other extortion-related charges that could have landed him in prison for 20 years.

For the reduced charge, prosecutors requested a sentence of 10 to 16 months in prison.

Citing Marrocco’s age and poor health, U.S. District Judge Robert Cleland imposed a lighter sentence.

After he’s released from prison, Marrocco was ordered to spend at least 450 days in home detention, with no internet or guests unless preapproved.

Marrocco served as public works commissioner for 23 years before voters ousted him in 2016.

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About The Author

Steve Neavling

Steve Neavling is an award-winning investigative journalist who operated Motor City Muckraker, an online news site devoted to exposing abuses of power and holding public officials accountable. Neavling also hosted Muckraker Report on 910AM from September 2017 to July 2018. Before launching Motor City Muckraker,...