The Warren Sun

Former Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Anthony Marrocco pleaded not guilty to a number of extortion charges related to a federal corruption investigation.

Marrocco is being charged with a total of four counts, including conspiracy to commit extortion, extortion and attempted extortion, all of which could lead to him spending up to 20 years in prison if convicted, Iosco County News-Herald reported.

The investigation claims county builders and contractors were coerced into purchasing tickets to Marrocco’s fundraisers held twice a year. The builders and contractors claim if they didn’t make these purchases then Marrocco would take actions such as withholding building permits or delaying vendor payments. Marrocco is alleged to have used money from the fundraisers to pay for personal expenses including flights, dinners at high-end restaurants, spa visits and holiday gifts.

Marrocco’s lawyer Steve Fishman told the Detroit News the case has nothing to do with criminal activity but rather it's about politics.

“Just like every other elected official, Tony Marrocco held campaign events and invited people to contribute,” Fishman told the Detroit News in an email. “Whether they did or not was entirely up to them. No one was forced to do anything.”

Marrocco was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond after he was arraigned on charges. Due to Marrocco’s high net worth, court officials increased the $10,000 bond amount that is usually asked of defendants awaiting trial.

“He’s not going anywhere, so the number doesn’t matter,” Fishman told the Detroit News.

The bond prohibits Marrocco from having contact with co-defendants or government witnesses in the case and from traveling outside of the U.S., Iosco County News-Herald reported. He also had to surrender his passport.