Warren Evans

Warren Evans

Warren Evans, who served as Wayne County Sheriff and Detroit Police Chief before becoming Wayne County Executive, has faced several controversies during his career in public service.

Evans' career trajectory has been closely intertwined with Wayne County's powerful McNamara political machine.

• Served as director of McNamara's Department of Community Justice from 1991-1997
• Previously worked in the sheriff's department, rising to undersheriff before departing in 1990
• Briefly worked for the Wayne County Commission before joining McNamara's administration

The controversies around Evans' appointments and contracts played out against the backdrop of a federal grand jury investigation into the McNamara administration regarding:

• Political fund-raising practices
• Contract award decisions
• Use of county resources for political campaigns
• Documents uncovered during political feuds between Evans/Duggan and incoming Executive Robert Ficano were finding their way to FBI investigators

Evans' various roles and business dealings exemplify how the McNamara machine operated - rewarding insiders with appointments and contracts while maintaining political control even after McNamara's departure. The Detroit News characterized Evans as "covered head-to-toe in the same slime of cronyism that is the distinguishing characteristic of the Edward McNamara administration."

Business Dealings and Contracts

In 2001, while working in Wayne County Prosecutor Michael Duggan's office, Evans' company received a $54,432 consulting contract from the county Department of Community Justice. The contract raised conflict concerns given Evans' former role heading that department; he claimed he had placed his interest in a blind trust. His brother Blair Evans also received county contracts, including computer work for the sheriff's department that was terminated due to conflict concerns. These arrangements typified what critics called McNamara's practice of steering contracts to a privileged inner circle

Board of Water Commissioners

As president of the Board of Water Commissioners in 2002, Evans became embroiled in controversy over a troubled $11 million computer billing system contract. The contract drew intense scrutiny for several problematic aspects:

Contract Bidding and Price Issues

• The contract was awarded to Sync Technologies, run by Donna Stallings, a member of Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's transition team
• The final price was $2.1 million higher than Sync's original bid and nearly $5 million more than the runner-up bid
• The price increase occurred after the open bidding process was complete
• The contract included unusually high consulting rates - up to $208 per hour for work that typically paid $22-27 per hour in the Detroit market

Bidding Process Irregularities

• A water department deputy director had an "highly unusual" meeting with competitor Compuware during the bidding process
• After this meeting, an "inaccurate" negative reference check was conducted against another bidder, SCT-Alpha Data
• The negative reference report, which department leadership agreed to keep quiet, was leaked to the bid evaluation team
• Water officials in Columbus, Ohio stated their references were "definitely a misrepresented" to cast SCT-Alpha Data's system in a poor light

Contract Implementation Problems

• The system that won Sync Technologies the bid was later abandoned due to reliability concerns
• The final contract specified no particular software system, despite bid requirements for a "tried and proven" system
• The contract was already a year behind schedule by September 2002
• The project drew two lawsuits alleging bid-rigging and contract manipulation

Evans defended the controversial contract, stating the board "did the right thing" in approving it. He justified the lack of specified software by citing the "fast pace of change in the software industry." However, the controversy highlighted ongoing concerns about contracting practices during Evans' tenure leading the water board, particularly regarding transparency and cost controls.

Wayne County Sheriff

Appointment and Early Controversies

In late 2002, Evans faced controversy over his appointment as Wayne County Sheriff through a selection panel consisting of Wayne County Prosecutor Michael Duggan, the chief probate judge, and county clerk. Critics, including The Detroit News editorial board, argued the appointment process perpetuated political cronyism, as Evans was a top aide to Duggan who had previously worked under former County Executive Edward McNamara.

Ameritech Jail Phone Contract Controversy

In December 2002, just weeks before taking office as Wayne County Sheriff, Evans faced significant scrutiny over his lucrative consulting arrangement with SBC Ameritech for jail phone services. Through his company, The Evans Group, he received 15% of gross receipts from all pay telephone calls made by inmates at both the county jail and juvenile detention facility. The no-bid contract had several concerning aspects:

• Based on estimated annual gross receipts of $2.1 million, Evans' company could have received up to $315,000 per year after expenses, though Evans claimed he received less than $100,000 annually.
• Inmates were charged high rates of $3 per call plus 25-30 cents per minute, even for local calls.
• The contract began March 7, 2000, while Evans was in private business, but he continued holding it after joining the Wayne County Prosecutor's office in early 2001.
• Evans was selected without a competitive bidding process, despite being a former undersheriff who had overseen jail operations.

When questioned about his compensation and responsibilities under the contract, Evans responded, "I'm not sure it's anybody's business." He claimed his role involved resolving billing disputes, reducing bad debts, and educating prisoners about calling privileges. While SBC Ameritech officials stated the contract required both a consultant and participation from a "disadvantaged business enterprise," they could not explain why Evans specifically was chosen. The company official who negotiated the contract had left, and spokespeople said they could not speculate whether Ameritech could perform the contract without Evans as consultant.

Ethics experts and critics viewed the arrangement as a clear conflict of interest for a county employee to profit from a contract with a county vendor. The Detroit News editorial board cited it as "a sterling example of how McNamara took care of his inner circle" and evidence of Evans being "covered head-to-toe in the same slime of cronyism" that characterized the McNamara administration. Evans defended maintaining the contract after rejoining county employment but acknowledged it would create a conflict of interest once he became sheriff. He pledged to sell his interest before taking office in January 2003. The controversy contributed to calls for the panel that appointed him sheriff to rescind their decision, though this did not occur.

Detroit Police Chief Tenure and Resignation (2009-2010)

Mobile Strike Force

During his tenure as Detroit Police Chief in 2009-2010, Warren Evans implemented an aggressive policing strategy reviving elements of the "STRESS" (Stop the Robberies, Enjoy Safe Streets) program, which had been controversial in Detroit's history during the 1970s. Under Evans' leadership, a Mobile Strike Force was created that was directed by Evans to use any legal violation, including minor infractions like jaywalking, as pretexts to search for weapons and drugs. The policy included ordering his Mobile Strike Force to conduct extensive traffic stops in "high-crime areas" for even small violations, hoping to find unregistered guns. Particularly controversial was a memo from Inspector Eric Jones threatening "WRITTEN progressive discipline" for officers who didn't make enough traffic stops, which critics argued amounted to an illegal quota system.

Evans' approach faced growing criticism for its "military-style" tactics. The department made extensive use of SWAT teams and special response units carrying submachine guns and military-grade equipment. This militarization trend was part of a broader post-9/11 shift in American policing, enabled by federal homeland security grants that provided military surplus equipment to local departments. The approach drew criticism from civil rights advocates. The Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality reported increased civilian complaints and warned about deteriorating police-community relations. The coalition reported a 67% increase in weekly complaint calls, and citizen complaints to the Police Commission rose 10% in the second half of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.

After the police killing of 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones during a SWAT raid, Mayor Dave Bing publicly declared he would be "reigning in" Evans' aggressive tactics.

Police Killing of Aiyana Stanley-Jones

On May 16, 2010, during a raid filmed by TV crews for A&E's "The First 48", seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones was fatally shot by Officer Joseph Weekley of the Detroit Police Special Response Team while she slept on a couch in her home. The raid, which occurred shortly after midnight, began with officers throwing a flash-bang grenade through the window of the lower unit where Aiyana was sleeping. The incident drew criticism over both the aggressive tactics used and the presence of TV cameras, with some suggesting the TV crew's presence may have influenced the operation's execution. Evans was criticized for allowing cameras to accompany police during dangerous operations, with a high-ranking Detroit police official quoted as saying "It is not protocol...I've never used a flash-bang in a case like this." The case was later settled with the family for $8.25 million in 2019.

"The Chief"

The most prominent issue involved his participation in a promotional video for a proposed reality TV show called "The Chief." The video showed Evans carrying weapons and promoting an aggressive law enforcement style. Then-Mayor Dave Bing cited this video as inappropriate and a factor in requesting Evans' resignation.

• Carrying military-style weapons
• Conducting raids
• Making dramatic statements about fighting crime
• Portraying an aggressive, TV-style approach to policing

‎

The video's tone and content were criticized as inappropriate for a sitting police chief and potentially compromising to police operations. When the video became public, it created significant political backlash.

Relationship with Subordinate and Ouster

Evans faced scrutiny over his romantic relationship with Lieutenant Monique Patterson, a subordinate officer in the department. Evans had a publicly acknowledged relationship with Lt. Patterson while serving as Police Chief. This relationship raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and professional conduct. Evans was notably absent when 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones was killed by his force. Photos on Facebook showed him vacationing in Barbados with Lt. Patterson just two days after the shooting, drawing criticism for the timing of his trip during a major departmental crisis.

While this relationship reportedly did not violate city rules, it contributed to his forced resignation in July 2010 after approximately one year in the position.

Attempt to Leverage Knowledge of Another Affair to Regain a City Position

After Evans was forced to resign the situation became more complex when he and his attorney, Mark Zausmer, revealed that Lt. Patterson had previously been involved with Ralph Godbee, who succeeded Evans as interim chief. Evans' team presented Deputy Mayor Saul Green with text messages showing that Godbee had previously had a relationship with Lt. Patterson and had allegedly promised to help advance her career. Evans and his attorney attempted to use their knowledge of Godbee's previous relationship with Patterson to negotiate Evans' return to a city position.

This strategy ultimately backfired. Godbee acknowledged the texts but characterized Evans' actions as a misuse of the messages "to strike a deal with the city of Detroit." Mayor Bing strongly rejected Evans' attempt to leverage this information, stating that "Failed attempts of personal gain at the expense of the police department and city at-large are unfortunate."

Wayne County Executive

Nepotism and Hiring Controversies

In 2017, Evans faced criticism over hiring practices and apparent nepotism in Wayne County government. The controversy centered around the hiring and promotion of his then-girlfriend (later wife) Renata Seals-Evans and reciprocal hiring arrangements with other county officials. Seals-Evans was initially hired in February 2016 at the Wayne County Treasurer's office as a $60,000 contractor while dating Evans, despite having no government experience or college degree. She was later promoted to a full-time position with a $10,000 raise by Treasurer Eric Sabree, who Evans had endorsed for office. The promotion was made without considering other candidates.

Questions arose about Seals-Evans' qualifications for a position advising residents on tax payments, as investigations revealed she had multiple financial judgments against her, including from debt collectors and apartment complexes. Former Wayne County Auditor General Brendan Dunleavy characterized the arrangement as "stinking of nepotism and favoritism."

The controversy deepened when it emerged that three months after Seals-Evans' promotion, Evans' legal division hired Treasurer Sabree's son, Adam Sabree, as assistant corporation counsel. While officials insisted the reciprocal hiring was coincidental, the timing and circumstances drew media scrutiny. The case highlighted ongoing concerns about patronage in Wayne County government, which had previously faced criticism under Evans' predecessor Robert Ficano, who had maintained 174 appointees.

Following media investigations into these hiring practices, Seals-Evans resigned her position in May 2017, citing that "the mere appearance of being unethical is not acceptable to me and my standard of living." Evans maintained he had not lobbied for her hiring, though he acknowledged county officials likely knew of their relationship, stating "there are no secrets in Wayne County."

Great Lakes Water Authority Nomination Controversy

In 2016 and 2021, Evans faced criticism for repeatedly attempting to appoint William Phillips, a controversial figure connected to former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's administration, to county boards.

Phillips had served as secretary of the Kilpatrick Civic Fund, a non-profit that federal prosecutors proved Kilpatrick had used as a "personal slush fund," misappropriating $200,000 for personal expenses like travel, golf clubs and college tuition. In 2007, when media exposed Kilpatrick's use of fund money for an $8,600 family vacation, Phillips publicly defended it as a "fundraising" trip, though this was later disproven during Kilpatrick's corruption trial.

Evans first nominated Phillips to the Great Lakes Water Authority board in 2016. After media inquiries about Phillips' connections to the Kilpatrick administration and water department corruption cases, Evans withdrew the nomination. In 2021, despite the previous controversy, Evans again nominated Phillips, this time to the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network board overseeing mental health services. County Commissioner Glenn Anderson opposed the appointment, stating "When there's a shadow or any type of impropriety in the past that comes to light, then we shouldn't be putting those people in positions of trust."

Further controversy arose when it was revealed Phillips had been one of Evans' most consistent campaign donors, contributing over $7,000 since 2013. Evans defended the nominations, calling Phillips "an esteemed lawyer, reputable businessman and strong community advocate," while maintaining there was no evidence to "detract from his ability to do good work." The repeated attempts to appoint Phillips despite his controversial background led Commissioner Anderson to comment that "It's almost like this administration doesn't realize there's other people in Wayne County that they could call on."

Despite the controversy and opposition, Phillips was ultimately appointed to the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network board, where he went on to serve as Vice-Chair of the Policy/Bylaw Committee and member of the Program Compliance Committee.

Saunders Contract Scandal and Administrative Oversight

Evans has faced criticism over his administration's handling of contracts and employment arrangements with Tony Saunders, his former Chief Financial Officer. Despite Saunders' success in helping Wayne County avoid bankruptcy during his 2015-2017 tenure as CFO, subsequent arrangements raised ethical concerns.

• The Evans administration allowed Saunders to operate a private consulting firm while still employed as Wayne County CFO in 2015-2016, with the administration later being unable to produce original documentation of approval for this arrangement.
• In 2017-2018, while Saunders worked as a county contractor on jail project negotiations, he simultaneously worked for Rock Ventures, which was negotiating a $533 million jail deal with the county. The administration claimed Saunders was removed from jail negotiations after joining Rock Ventures.
• In 2022-2023, Evans approved a $425,000 17-month contract for Saunders as a part-time consultant, paying him nearly four times his previous full-time salary. The administration allowed Saunders to exceed the contract's $100,000 maximum without proper approval and violated county rules by permitting work before commissioner approval.
• When questioned by media in 2024 about Saunders' ongoing contract following domestic violence charges, Evans' office declined substantive comment beyond acknowledging awareness of the situation.

County commissioners, including Glenn Anderson and Diane Webb, criticized these arrangements for excessive costs and apparent conflicts of interest. Former Wayne County Auditor General Brendan Dunleavy characterized some of Saunders' business dealings under Evans as perpetuating "appearances of impropriety" that undermined trust in county government.