Plea from key figure in Michigan corruption case

Detroit-area contractor who helped FBI investigate Ecorse mayor pleads guilty to banking crime

• On 10:32 am EDT, Friday October 16, 2009

ECORSE, Mich. (AP) -- A contractor who helped authorities investigate a Detroit-area mayor has pleaded guilty to a banking crime.

Stacey Tarockoff admitted that he arranged a series of withdrawals of less than $10,000 to avoid triggering mandatory reports by National City Bank. He faces up to 13 months in prison after pleading guilty Thursday in federal court in Detroit.

Tarockoff was a partner in Michigan Municipal Services, which was hired in 2007 to run Ecorse's public works department. Authorities say he's admitted paying bribes to Mayor Herbert Worthy and city Controller Earl Hollenquest.

Court documents show Tarockoff helped the FBI and secretly recorded conversations with the men. Criminal cases against Worthy, Hollenquest and Tarockoff's business partner are pending.