Eric Sabree: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Duggan-W. Evans-E. Sabree "Pay as you go"-2671 (48871947126).jpg|thumb|Eric Sabree]] | [[File:Duggan-W. Evans-E. Sabree "Pay as you go"-2671 (48871947126).jpg|thumb|Eric Sabree]] | ||
In | === Hiring and Promotion Controversies === | ||
In 2017, shortly after receiving an endorsement from Wayne County Executive Warren Evans during his campaign for treasurer, Sabree promoted Evans' then-girlfriend (later wife) Renata Seals from a $60,000 contract position to a full-time role with a $70,000 salary and benefits[1]. Seals-Evans had no prior government experience or college degree. Investigations uncovered multiple financial judgments against Seals-Evans, including from debt collectors and apartment complexes, despite her role advising residents on tax payments and foreclosure prevention[2]. Despite these facts, Sabree admitted he "didn't consider anyone else" for the position.[6] | |||
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[3] | Shortly after this promotion, Evans' legal division. hired Sabree's son, [[Adam Sabree]], as an assistant corporation counsel at $58,000 per year.[3] While both offices maintained the timing was coincidental, former Wayne County Auditor General Brendan Dunleavy characterized these arrangements as "stinking of nepotism and favoritism"[2].[6] | ||
While long-time county workers went without raises for years, connected individuals like Seals-Evans received preferential treatment, promotions, and salary increases.[6] Following media investigations by WXYZ-TV in May 2017, Seals-Evans resigned her position citing ethical concerns[1]. | |||
In February 2019, | In February 2019, investigations by the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News revealed that Sabree's family members had purchased tax-foreclosed properties through Wayne County's tax foreclosure auction in violation of his office's own rules.[1][2][3] | ||
Key findings from the investigations included: | Key findings from the investigations included: | ||
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* The family engaged in property flipping, including one case where Sabree's nephew bought a property for $500, sold it to Sabree's son for $1, who then sold it for $1,500[3] | * The family engaged in property flipping, including one case where Sabree's nephew bought a property for $500, sold it to Sabree's son for $1, who then sold it for $1,500[3] | ||
When confronted, Sabree | When confronted, Sabree claimed he wasn't personally involved in the transactions, though he was listed as a member of U.S. Development Services.[3] He called the rules barring family participation "intrusive and unrealistic" and suggested changing them rather than enforcing compliance.[2] Wayne County Executive Warren Evans called for an ethics review of the purchases.[4] | ||
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The scandal highlighted systemic issues with Wayne County's tax foreclosure system. Between 2005-2017, approximately 150,000 Detroit properties (one-third of all properties in the city) went through tax foreclosure.[4] Critics noted that while the treasurer's office took a hard line with struggling homeowners, different standards appeared to apply to insiders and speculators.[5] | The scandal highlighted systemic issues with Wayne County's tax foreclosure system. Between 2005-2017, approximately 150,000 Detroit properties (one-third of all properties in the city) went through tax foreclosure.[4] Critics noted that while the treasurer's office took a hard line with struggling homeowners, different standards appeared to apply to insiders and speculators.[5] | ||
The Detroit Free Press Editorial Board called for Sabree's resignation, arguing he had "forfeited the public trust." | The Detroit Free Press Editorial Board called for Sabree's resignation, arguing he had "forfeited the public trust."<ref name=":0">"Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree forfeits the public trust," Detroit Free Press Editorial Board, February 12, 2019.</ref> Property data expert Jerry Paffendorf of Loveland Technologies argued that the entire office's leadership needed to be replaced and made more transparent.[5] | ||
# Deadline Detroit, February 12, 2019 | # Deadline Detroit, February 12, 2019 | ||
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# Detour Detroit, February 14, 2019 | # Detour Detroit, February 14, 2019 | ||
[1] "Update: Freep Calls on Wayne Treasurer to Quit Over 'Problematic' Real Estate Deals," Deadline Detroit, February 12, 2019. [2] "Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree forfeits the public trust," Detroit Free Press Editorial Board, February 12, 2019. | [1] "Update: Freep Calls on Wayne Treasurer to Quit Over 'Problematic' Real Estate Deals," Deadline Detroit, February 12, 2019.<ref>"Update: Freep Calls on Wayne Treasurer to Quit Over 'Problematic' Real Estate Deals," Deadline Detroit, February 12, 2019.</ref> | ||
[2] "Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree forfeits the public trust," Detroit Free Press Editorial Board, February 12, 2019.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
[1] John Wisely, "Warren Evans' wife resigns county job amid questions," Detroit Free Press, May 23, 2017.<ref>John Wisely, "Warren Evans' wife resigns county job amid questions," Detroit Free Press, May 23, 2017.</ref> | |||
[2] Ross Jones, "Warren Evans' wife advances in gov't job despite no gov't experience," WXYZ Detroit, May 18, 2017.<ref>Ross Jones, "Warren Evans' wife advances in gov't job despite no gov't experience," WXYZ Detroit, May 18, 2017.</ref> | |||
[3] John Wisely and Kathleen Gray, "Questions arise over Wayne County hiring practices," Detroit Free Press, May 25, 2017.<ref>John Wisely and Kathleen Gray, "Questions arise over Wayne County hiring practices," Detroit Free Press, May 25, 2017.</ref> | |||
Revision as of 15:06, 16 February 2025
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Hiring and Promotion Controversies
In 2017, shortly after receiving an endorsement from Wayne County Executive Warren Evans during his campaign for treasurer, Sabree promoted Evans' then-girlfriend (later wife) Renata Seals from a $60,000 contract position to a full-time role with a $70,000 salary and benefits[1]. Seals-Evans had no prior government experience or college degree. Investigations uncovered multiple financial judgments against Seals-Evans, including from debt collectors and apartment complexes, despite her role advising residents on tax payments and foreclosure prevention[2]. Despite these facts, Sabree admitted he "didn't consider anyone else" for the position.[6]
Shortly after this promotion, Evans' legal division. hired Sabree's son, Adam Sabree, as an assistant corporation counsel at $58,000 per year.[3] While both offices maintained the timing was coincidental, former Wayne County Auditor General Brendan Dunleavy characterized these arrangements as "stinking of nepotism and favoritism"[2].[6]
While long-time county workers went without raises for years, connected individuals like Seals-Evans received preferential treatment, promotions, and salary increases.[6] Following media investigations by WXYZ-TV in May 2017, Seals-Evans resigned her position citing ethical concerns[1].
In February 2019, investigations by the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News revealed that Sabree's family members had purchased tax-foreclosed properties through Wayne County's tax foreclosure auction in violation of his office's own rules.[1][2][3]
Key findings from the investigations included:
- A real estate company called U.S. Development Services, co-founded by Sabree and run by his wife, purchased multiple properties through auctions overseen by Sabree's office[1]
- Sabree's wife Badriyyah accumulated approximately $58,000 in delinquent property taxes on multiple properties, which were only paid off after media inquiries[2]
- Some properties owned by family members had been delinquent long enough to qualify for foreclosure but were not foreclosed upon, including a vacant west side lot that should have been sold at auction according to state law[3]
- Sabree's son Adam was listed as a successful bidder in 2017 despite being banned from participating and owing delinquent taxes himself[3]
- The family engaged in property flipping, including one case where Sabree's nephew bought a property for $500, sold it to Sabree's son for $1, who then sold it for $1,500[3]
When confronted, Sabree claimed he wasn't personally involved in the transactions, though he was listed as a member of U.S. Development Services.[3] He called the rules barring family participation "intrusive and unrealistic" and suggested changing them rather than enforcing compliance.[2] Wayne County Executive Warren Evans called for an ethics review of the purchases.[4]
The scandal highlighted systemic issues with Wayne County's tax foreclosure system. Between 2005-2017, approximately 150,000 Detroit properties (one-third of all properties in the city) went through tax foreclosure.[4] Critics noted that while the treasurer's office took a hard line with struggling homeowners, different standards appeared to apply to insiders and speculators.[5]
The Detroit Free Press Editorial Board called for Sabree's resignation, arguing he had "forfeited the public trust."[1] Property data expert Jerry Paffendorf of Loveland Technologies argued that the entire office's leadership needed to be replaced and made more transparent.[5]
- Deadline Detroit, February 12, 2019
- Detroit Free Press Editorial Board, February 12, 2019
- Detroit News investigation, February 2019
- Detroit Metro Times, February 15, 2019
- Detour Detroit, February 14, 2019
[1] "Update: Freep Calls on Wayne Treasurer to Quit Over 'Problematic' Real Estate Deals," Deadline Detroit, February 12, 2019.[2]
[2] "Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree forfeits the public trust," Detroit Free Press Editorial Board, February 12, 2019.[1]
[1] John Wisely, "Warren Evans' wife resigns county job amid questions," Detroit Free Press, May 23, 2017.[3]
[2] Ross Jones, "Warren Evans' wife advances in gov't job despite no gov't experience," WXYZ Detroit, May 18, 2017.[4]
[3] John Wisely and Kathleen Gray, "Questions arise over Wayne County hiring practices," Detroit Free Press, May 25, 2017.[5]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree forfeits the public trust," Detroit Free Press Editorial Board, February 12, 2019.
- ↑ "Update: Freep Calls on Wayne Treasurer to Quit Over 'Problematic' Real Estate Deals," Deadline Detroit, February 12, 2019.
- ↑ John Wisely, "Warren Evans' wife resigns county job amid questions," Detroit Free Press, May 23, 2017.
- ↑ Ross Jones, "Warren Evans' wife advances in gov't job despite no gov't experience," WXYZ Detroit, May 18, 2017.
- ↑ John Wisely and Kathleen Gray, "Questions arise over Wayne County hiring practices," Detroit Free Press, May 25, 2017.