Former Detroit Cop Who Led Integrity Unit Pleads Guilty in Bribery Conspiracy

Former Detroit Police Lieutenant John F. Kennedy, who previously supervised the department’s integrity unit, pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiring with another officer to commit bribery, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.

Kennedy, 57, of Rochester Hills, was accused of bribery as part of a broader federal investigation into public corruption involving Detroit city government officials and the towing industry.

Initially charged with three counts bribery and one count of conspiracy, Kennedy and former Detroit Police Officer Daniel Vickers were accused of teaming up in May 2017 and began accepting cash, cars, car parts, car repairs and other valuables from an unnamed person involved in the towing industry in exchange for their influence and help getting a towing company business unlawfully, as described in an October 2021 federal indictment.

Kennedy would persuade other officers to make tow referrals directly to a company outside the city’s towing rotation, which is a violation of city ordinance, according to federal prosecutors. Kennedy and Vickers were aware of the ordinance, according to the indictment.

And Kennedy, as a former supervisor of the Detroit Police Department’s integrity unit, investigated violations of the law and wrongdoings by city employees. Federal prosecutors allege Kennedy and Vickers also provided information and updates from the integrity unit’s case against a towing company to an official from that company, in exchange for thousands of dollars in cash, cars, car parts, car repairs and new carpeting for Vickers’ home.

Prosecutors say Kennedy accepted over $14,000 in cash and other valuables as a bribe from the owner of a towing company and from an undercover federal agent.

“Today’s plea represents our commitment to ensuring that the citizens of Detroit are protected by officers characterized by the highest levels of integrity,” said Dawn Ison, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, in a Wednesday news release. “We will not accept members of law enforcement who prioritize their personal gain over policing excellence. We thank Chief of Police James White for his assistance in this investigation.”

Conspiracy to commit bribery carries a five-year maximum prison sentence and a fine of $250,000.

Kennedy initially pleaded now guilty, along with Vickers. According to court records, Vickers’s not guilty plea remains.

“I’m disappointed that this officer has tarnished the badge that represents integrity and professionalism,” Detroit Police Chief James White said in the news release. “The actions of one officer clearly do not represent the largest policing agency in the state of Michigan and those who put themselves in harm’s way each day. We will continue to fully cooperate with our federal partners, and most importantly, be transparent with our community.”

Charges against Kennedy and Vickers followed former Detroit Councilman Andre Spivey’s admission of taking bribes totaling $35,900 in exchange for help with the city’s towing regulations. Spivey was the first charged in the federal corruption investigation known as Operation Northern Hook, which is linked to at least three City Council members and a confidential FBI source who was tied to Detroit’s towing industry. Spivey pleaded guilty in September 2021.

Kennedy is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 5, 2023 at 1 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Laurie J. Michelson.

Article Credit: https://fcced.com/ex-detroit-cop-who-led-integrity-unit-plead-guilty-25822/