Scott Benson: Difference between revisions
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=== Details === | === Details === | ||
On June 29, 2014, Detroit City Councilman Scott Benson | On June 29, 2014, Detroit City Councilman Scott Benson was arrested in Southfield, Michigan. Police found Benson unconscious behind the wheel of his city-owned 2008 Crown Victoria near the intersection of 8 Mile Road and the Southfield Freeway.<ref name=":0">"Detroit City Councilman Scott Benson arrested in Southfield," FOX - 2 WJBK (Detroit), June 30, 2014, myFOXDetroit.com Staff.</ref> A witness had called 911 reporting, "I don't know if there's something wrong with this guy in this car at Southfield and 8 Mile at the service drive. It's not moving and neither is the person inside."<ref name=":1">"Detroit councilman Scott Benson receives jail sentence for DUI," FOX - 2 WJBK (Detroit), January 22, 2015.</ref> | ||
At the time of his arrest, Benson was found with an open bottle of Buffalo Trace Bourbon in the vehicle. Although he initially told Southfield police he had only consumed "one sip" of vodka, a blood test revealed his blood alcohol content was 0.24 percent, three times Michigan's legal limit for driving.<ref name=":1" /> He was placed under arrest for operating while impaired and released on a $500 bond.<ref name=":0" /> | At the time of his arrest, Benson was found with an open bottle of Buffalo Trace Bourbon in the vehicle. Although he initially told Southfield police he had only consumed "one sip" of vodka, a blood test revealed his blood alcohol content was 0.24 percent, three times Michigan's legal limit for driving.<ref name=":1" /> He was placed under arrest for operating while impaired and released on a $500 bond.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
A review of Benson's driving record by Fox 2 revealed several suspensions for unpaid fees dating back to 2011, minor traffic infractions, and a hold on his license for unpaid parking tickets in Detroit.<ref name=":0" /> | A review of Benson's driving record by Fox 2 revealed several suspensions for unpaid fees dating back to 2011, minor traffic infractions, and a hold on his license for unpaid parking tickets in Detroit.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
== The FCA Land Swap Vote and Its Aftermath == | |||
=== Initial Support for the Land Deal === | |||
In 2019, Scott Benson voted in favor of the controversial land swap agreement that facilitated the expansion of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA, now Stellantis) plant on Detroit's east side.<ref name="brooker2024">Brooker, Jena. "Moroun-owned firm built east side concrete plant without permit." BridgeDetroit, May 17, 2024.</ref> By a 6-3 vote, City Council approved a transfer of $43.5 million in cash plus 200 acres of city-owned land throughout Detroit in exchange for an 82.2-acre parking lot owned by the [[Moroun family]]'s [[Crown Enterprises]].<ref name="allnutt2021">Allnutt, Brian. "How an east side land deal impacted a dispute over Moroun-owned land in southwest Detroit." Planet Detroit, March 1, 2021.</ref> Dozens of the properties received by the Morouns are in Cadillac Heights— a neighborhood within Benson's District 3.<ref name="allnutt2021" /> | |||
At the time, FCA was leasing the parking lot from the Morouns and using it for parking. After the complex land swap was completed and the lot transferred to FCA, the property continues to serve the same function it had before— as a parking lot.<ref name="handbuilt2021">Guest. "A Common-Sense Rezoning Hits Billionaire Resistance." The Handbuilt City, February 10, 2021.</ref> | |||
The land swap vote occurred against a backdrop of significant political contributions from Moroun-backed entities. Of the approximately $200,000 that various Moroun-backed political action committees spent on candidates during the 2017 city council election, Benson received $1,919 from the [[Turn Around Wayne County|Turn Around Wayne County Super PAC]], which was financially supported by the Moroun family.<ref name="allnutt2021" /> The PAC also donated over $100,000 to "[[Save Detroit Jobs]]" in 2016, which subsequently paid Scott Benson's chief of staff [[Carol Banks]] $11,751 in wages and reimbursements through nearly 70 separate payments, including one installment of $6,486.<ref name="deadline-detroit-corruption2">"Detroit council corruption probe involves nonprofit that helped kill grass roots initiative". Deadline Detroit.</ref> Save Detroit Jobs operated from the same address as Benson's council office and issued press releases quoting Benson. | |||
=== Consequences in Cadillac Heights === | |||
The land acquired by Crown Enterprises through the swap would later become the source of significant controversy in Benson's own district. In 2022, Crown began construction of a concrete mixing plant on parcels obtained through the FCA deal, building the facility without proper permits before receiving a stop work notice from the city's [[Buildings, Safety, Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED)]].<ref name="brooker2024" /> | |||
The plant's operation has created what residents describe as harmful dust, noise, and increased truck traffic in the predominantly Black neighborhood.<ref name="barrett2025">Barrett, Malachi. "East side neighbors urge city to shut down Moroun-owned concrete plant." BridgeDetroit, April 9, 2025.</ref> Simultaneously, Crown Enterprises engaged in a campaign to pressure longtime residents to sell their homes, offering below-market prices and short deadlines, effectively displacing families who had lived in the area for decades.<ref name="brooker2022">Brooker, Jena. "One of Detroit's most powerful families is displacing east side residents." Planet Detroit, September 21, 2022.</ref> | |||
=== Shifting Explanations === | |||
When confronted about the concrete plant's impacts on his constituents in 2024, Benson characterized the land swap as an administrative decision by the mayor's office rather than a legislative choice requiring council approval, stating: "This was a city of Detroit deal cut on the 11th floor," referring to the mayor's office.<ref name="barrett2025" /> | |||
However, when pressed further about his role in the transaction, Benson ultimately acknowledged and defended his support for the land swap. In a 2024 interview, he stated: "I still support and stand in front of my vote to bring jobs and development and investment to the City of Detroit and focus on our residents."<ref name="brooker2024" /> | |||
Benson maintained that he "couldn't have anticipated the situation today in Cadillac Heights" and argued that the deal was necessary for economic development.<ref name="brooker2024" /> He emphasized the job creation aspect of the Stellantis plant, despite the company's subsequent layoffs and workforce reductions at the facility.<ref name="brooker2024" /> | |||
== Federal Corruption Investigation == | |||
Benson became a focus of federal investigators due to his connections to the city's towing industry. Benson sits on the council's Public Health and Safety Committee, which handles towing oversight, and had previously aided towing industry interests.<ref name="deadline-dark-money">Violet Ikonomova, "Duggan-tied dark money groups push four Detroit City Council candidates," <nowiki>''</nowiki>Deadline Detroit<nowiki>''</nowiki>, October 8, 2021</ref> | |||
In July 2021, Benson prevented a proposed towing ordinance from advancing at a meeting of the Public Health and Safety Committee, which he chairs. The measure, introduced by Council President [[Brenda Jones]], would have created city-level towing regulations and curbed predatory practices such as refusing to release a vehicle whose owner shows up before it's hauled away.<ref name="deadline-towing">Violet Ikonomova, "Detroit council members raided by FBI advocated for towing companies," <nowiki>''Deadline Detroit''</nowiki>, August 27, 2021</ref> Benson expressed concern about possible misdemeanors for violators of the new rules, saying "The big issue is, am I going to wind up in handcuffs for violating this ordinance?" speaking from the perspective of a tow operator.<ref name="deadline-towing" /> | |||
Benson had received between $500-$2,000 in direct campaign contributions from towing company owners and affiliates, including contributions from [[Gasper Fiore]] and/or his daughter [[Jennifer Fiore|Jennifer]].<ref name="deadline-towing" /> Fiore was a former towing magnate who had previously served prison time for bribing a Macomb County official.<ref name="deadline-towing" /> | |||
=== FBI Raids === | |||
On August 25, 2021, just weeks after Benson prevented a proposed towing ordinance from advancing, FBI agents executed search warrants at Benson's home, that of fellow Detroit City Council member [[Janeé Ayers]], as well as at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center downtown.<ref name="wdet-fbi">Eli Newman, "Homes of Ayers and Benson Searched by FBI, Expanding Inquiry into Detroit City Council Corruption," <nowiki>''WDET''</nowiki>, August 25, 2021</ref><ref name="wxyz-fbi">"FBI raids Detroit city hall, homes of council members in corruption investigation," <nowiki>''WXYZ''</nowiki>, August 25, 2021</ref> Federal officials also searched Benson's Harper Woods home and carried out multiple boxes from the offices where City Council conducts its official business.<ref name="wdet-fbi" /> | |||
The searches were part of what federal investigators described as an ongoing public corruption investigation. "The citizens of Detroit have a right to a city government that's free of corruption," said FBI Special Agent Tim Waters, who led the Detroit field office.<ref name="wxyz-fbi" /> The probe was part of the government's wider investigation dubbed "Operation Northern Hook," an investigation of corruption within government and the Detroit Police Department related to the towing industry.<ref name="freep-closed">Dana Afana, "Feds close public corruption investigation of Scott Benson, Janeé Ayers," <nowiki>''Detroit Free Press''</nowiki>, January 17, 2025</ref> The broader federal corruption probe had already resulted in charges against Councilman [[André Spivey]], who was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery for allegedly accepting more than $35,000 in bribes.<ref name="wdet-fbi" /> Spivey was cooperating with the FBI by the time of the July 2021 towing committee meeting, his lawyer has said.<ref name="deadline-towing" /> | |||
Items seized during the FBI raids included towing documents, an envelope titled "Troy's Towing," 12 thumb drives with labels including "Detroit towing," "Detroit Blight Removal," "Crossroads," "Touring," and "DEGC" for the [[Detroit Economic Growth Corporation]], as well as copies of deposited checks and financial documents.<ref name="fox2-seizure">David Komer, "FBI<nowiki>'s seized items from Detroit councilmembers include towing documents, thumb drives," ''FOX 2''</nowiki>, September 14, 2021</ref> | |||
=== Investigation Conclusion === | |||
In January 2025, federal prosecutors closed the investigation without filing criminal charges against Benson, Ayers, or their chiefs of staff. Benson was notified of the decision by the U.S. Attorney [[Dawn Ison]]'s office in Detroit.<ref name="deadline-no-charges">Allan Lengel, "Years After FBI Raided 2 Detroit Council Members<nowiki>' Homes, No Charges Will Be Filed," ''Deadline Detroit''</nowiki>, January 16, 2025</ref><ref name="freep-closed" /> | |||
"I am happy that the government has confirmed that what I said over three years ago was accurate: Scott Benson did nothing wrong," Benson's attorney Steve Fishman said in an email.<ref name="freep-closed" /> | |||
== The File == | == The File == | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
Latest revision as of 10:07, 15 August 2025
Drunk Driving Conviction
Summary: In June 2014, Detroit City Councilman Scott Benson was arrested after police found him unconscious in his city-owned car with an open bottle of bourbon. His blood alcohol level was 0.24 percent, three times the legal limit. Despite initially claiming he had only one sip of vodka, Benson later pleaded guilty to drunken driving. In January 2015, Judge Bill Richards sentenced him to seven days in jail, $2,000 in fines, two years probation, and counseling, noting this was Benson's second alcohol-related driving offense. Benson publicly apologized and promised to make necessary lifestyle changes to continue serving his district effectively.
Details
On June 29, 2014, Detroit City Councilman Scott Benson was arrested in Southfield, Michigan. Police found Benson unconscious behind the wheel of his city-owned 2008 Crown Victoria near the intersection of 8 Mile Road and the Southfield Freeway.[1] A witness had called 911 reporting, "I don't know if there's something wrong with this guy in this car at Southfield and 8 Mile at the service drive. It's not moving and neither is the person inside."[2]
At the time of his arrest, Benson was found with an open bottle of Buffalo Trace Bourbon in the vehicle. Although he initially told Southfield police he had only consumed "one sip" of vodka, a blood test revealed his blood alcohol content was 0.24 percent, three times Michigan's legal limit for driving.[2] He was placed under arrest for operating while impaired and released on a $500 bond.[1]
On October 2014, Benson pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of drunken driving after initially being charged with "super drunk driving."[2] On January 22, 2015, Benson appeared before Judge Bill Richards in Southfield district court for sentencing. During the proceedings, Judge Richards noted that this was Benson's second alcohol-related driving offense, though details of the previous incident were not provided.[2]
Benson read a prepared statement in court: "I'd like to apologize to this court, the residents of Southfield and Detroit, my colleagues and family for my egregious behavior of June 2014."[2] Judge Richards sentenced Benson to seven days in the Oakland County Jail (half the time recommended by court officials), $2,000 in fines and costs, two years of probation, continued substance abuse counseling, and meetings with victims of drunk driving tragedies. Benson chose to begin serving his jail sentence on March 13, 2015.[2]
Following the sentencing, Benson issued a longer statement expressing remorse and indicating he had "made the appropriate and necessary lifestyle changes" while pledging to "continue to labor hard for my district and the citizens of Detroit without distraction."[2]
A review of Benson's driving record by Fox 2 revealed several suspensions for unpaid fees dating back to 2011, minor traffic infractions, and a hold on his license for unpaid parking tickets in Detroit.[1]
The FCA Land Swap Vote and Its Aftermath
Initial Support for the Land Deal
In 2019, Scott Benson voted in favor of the controversial land swap agreement that facilitated the expansion of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA, now Stellantis) plant on Detroit's east side.[3] By a 6-3 vote, City Council approved a transfer of $43.5 million in cash plus 200 acres of city-owned land throughout Detroit in exchange for an 82.2-acre parking lot owned by the Moroun family's Crown Enterprises.[4] Dozens of the properties received by the Morouns are in Cadillac Heights— a neighborhood within Benson's District 3.[4]
At the time, FCA was leasing the parking lot from the Morouns and using it for parking. After the complex land swap was completed and the lot transferred to FCA, the property continues to serve the same function it had before— as a parking lot.[5]
The land swap vote occurred against a backdrop of significant political contributions from Moroun-backed entities. Of the approximately $200,000 that various Moroun-backed political action committees spent on candidates during the 2017 city council election, Benson received $1,919 from the Turn Around Wayne County Super PAC, which was financially supported by the Moroun family.[4] The PAC also donated over $100,000 to "Save Detroit Jobs" in 2016, which subsequently paid Scott Benson's chief of staff Carol Banks $11,751 in wages and reimbursements through nearly 70 separate payments, including one installment of $6,486.[6] Save Detroit Jobs operated from the same address as Benson's council office and issued press releases quoting Benson.
Consequences in Cadillac Heights
The land acquired by Crown Enterprises through the swap would later become the source of significant controversy in Benson's own district. In 2022, Crown began construction of a concrete mixing plant on parcels obtained through the FCA deal, building the facility without proper permits before receiving a stop work notice from the city's Buildings, Safety, Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED).[3]
The plant's operation has created what residents describe as harmful dust, noise, and increased truck traffic in the predominantly Black neighborhood.[7] Simultaneously, Crown Enterprises engaged in a campaign to pressure longtime residents to sell their homes, offering below-market prices and short deadlines, effectively displacing families who had lived in the area for decades.[8]
Shifting Explanations
When confronted about the concrete plant's impacts on his constituents in 2024, Benson characterized the land swap as an administrative decision by the mayor's office rather than a legislative choice requiring council approval, stating: "This was a city of Detroit deal cut on the 11th floor," referring to the mayor's office.[7]
However, when pressed further about his role in the transaction, Benson ultimately acknowledged and defended his support for the land swap. In a 2024 interview, he stated: "I still support and stand in front of my vote to bring jobs and development and investment to the City of Detroit and focus on our residents."[3]
Benson maintained that he "couldn't have anticipated the situation today in Cadillac Heights" and argued that the deal was necessary for economic development.[3] He emphasized the job creation aspect of the Stellantis plant, despite the company's subsequent layoffs and workforce reductions at the facility.[3]
Federal Corruption Investigation
Benson became a focus of federal investigators due to his connections to the city's towing industry. Benson sits on the council's Public Health and Safety Committee, which handles towing oversight, and had previously aided towing industry interests.[9]
In July 2021, Benson prevented a proposed towing ordinance from advancing at a meeting of the Public Health and Safety Committee, which he chairs. The measure, introduced by Council President Brenda Jones, would have created city-level towing regulations and curbed predatory practices such as refusing to release a vehicle whose owner shows up before it's hauled away.[10] Benson expressed concern about possible misdemeanors for violators of the new rules, saying "The big issue is, am I going to wind up in handcuffs for violating this ordinance?" speaking from the perspective of a tow operator.[10]
Benson had received between $500-$2,000 in direct campaign contributions from towing company owners and affiliates, including contributions from Gasper Fiore and/or his daughter Jennifer.[10] Fiore was a former towing magnate who had previously served prison time for bribing a Macomb County official.[10]
FBI Raids
On August 25, 2021, just weeks after Benson prevented a proposed towing ordinance from advancing, FBI agents executed search warrants at Benson's home, that of fellow Detroit City Council member Janeé Ayers, as well as at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center downtown.[11][12] Federal officials also searched Benson's Harper Woods home and carried out multiple boxes from the offices where City Council conducts its official business.[11]
The searches were part of what federal investigators described as an ongoing public corruption investigation. "The citizens of Detroit have a right to a city government that's free of corruption," said FBI Special Agent Tim Waters, who led the Detroit field office.[12] The probe was part of the government's wider investigation dubbed "Operation Northern Hook," an investigation of corruption within government and the Detroit Police Department related to the towing industry.[13] The broader federal corruption probe had already resulted in charges against Councilman André Spivey, who was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery for allegedly accepting more than $35,000 in bribes.[11] Spivey was cooperating with the FBI by the time of the July 2021 towing committee meeting, his lawyer has said.[10]
Items seized during the FBI raids included towing documents, an envelope titled "Troy's Towing," 12 thumb drives with labels including "Detroit towing," "Detroit Blight Removal," "Crossroads," "Touring," and "DEGC" for the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, as well as copies of deposited checks and financial documents.[14]
Investigation Conclusion
In January 2025, federal prosecutors closed the investigation without filing criminal charges against Benson, Ayers, or their chiefs of staff. Benson was notified of the decision by the U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison's office in Detroit.[15][13]
"I am happy that the government has confirmed that what I said over three years ago was accurate: Scott Benson did nothing wrong," Benson's attorney Steve Fishman said in an email.[13]
The File
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Detroit City Councilman Scott Benson arrested in Southfield," FOX - 2 WJBK (Detroit), June 30, 2014, myFOXDetroit.com Staff.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Detroit councilman Scott Benson receives jail sentence for DUI," FOX - 2 WJBK (Detroit), January 22, 2015.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Brooker, Jena. "Moroun-owned firm built east side concrete plant without permit." BridgeDetroit, May 17, 2024.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Allnutt, Brian. "How an east side land deal impacted a dispute over Moroun-owned land in southwest Detroit." Planet Detroit, March 1, 2021.
- ↑ Guest. "A Common-Sense Rezoning Hits Billionaire Resistance." The Handbuilt City, February 10, 2021.
- ↑ "Detroit council corruption probe involves nonprofit that helped kill grass roots initiative". Deadline Detroit.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Barrett, Malachi. "East side neighbors urge city to shut down Moroun-owned concrete plant." BridgeDetroit, April 9, 2025.
- ↑ Brooker, Jena. "One of Detroit's most powerful families is displacing east side residents." Planet Detroit, September 21, 2022.
- ↑ Violet Ikonomova, "Duggan-tied dark money groups push four Detroit City Council candidates," ''Deadline Detroit'', October 8, 2021
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Violet Ikonomova, "Detroit council members raided by FBI advocated for towing companies," ''Deadline Detroit'', August 27, 2021
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Eli Newman, "Homes of Ayers and Benson Searched by FBI, Expanding Inquiry into Detroit City Council Corruption," ''WDET'', August 25, 2021
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 "FBI raids Detroit city hall, homes of council members in corruption investigation," ''WXYZ'', August 25, 2021
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Dana Afana, "Feds close public corruption investigation of Scott Benson, Janeé Ayers," ''Detroit Free Press'', January 17, 2025
- ↑ David Komer, "FBI's seized items from Detroit councilmembers include towing documents, thumb drives," ''FOX 2'', September 14, 2021
- ↑ Allan Lengel, "Years After FBI Raided 2 Detroit Council Members' Homes, No Charges Will Be Filed," ''Deadline Detroit'', January 16, 2025