(WXYZ) - As the federal government digs deeper into what went on behind the scenes during a pawn shop’s attempt to relocate in the city of Southfield -- a war of words has erupted between some political power brokers.
WATCH HEATHER CATALLO'S LATEST REPORT IN THE VIDEO PLAYER TO THE RIGHTSouthfield City Councilman Bill Lattimore is fighting back tonight – trying to dispel the idea that the process of getting a building approved in his city is tainted with corruption.
Bill Lattimore/Southfield City Council: We don’t have a pay to play, quid pro quo, favor for a favor culture here.
City Councilman Bill Lattimore says he wants to set the record straight about how Zeidmans Jewelry and Loan really got its new building approved in Southfield. The pawn store’s relocation has become linked to the FBI investigation into the actions of Monica Conyers and political consultant Sam Riddle.
Lattimore: In the case of Zeidmans’ store, which was a site plan review process, it’s a 4 step process, no one person or individual from the inside or the outside could have any influence in that process at all. We do things above board here, and I’m sick and tired of people inferring that there’s some connection of corruption between here and downtown.
Federal investigators have interviewed Southfield city officials at length about Zeidman’s move to 10 Mile and Evergreen.
The owner of Zeidman’s hired Sam Riddle to help the Southfield deal get approved – and Riddle tells the Action News Investigators that he did give Bill Lattimore money.
Heather Catallo: Did you give him cash, did you give him money?
Sam Riddle/Political Consultant: He received some money, I’m not going to go into all the amounts, and all that. We will when it’s appropriate, but yes he did receive some money for a community project. I never bought a vote, raised the issue of buying a vote, I never bribed him.
Lattimore says he can’t talk about the allegation he received money.
Lattimore: I’m a witness in a federal and that’s why I can’t talk about it.
Catallo: Are you going to be indicted?
Lattimore: There hasn’t been any indication I’m going to be indicted, no.
Even though Bill Lattimore says he doesn’t think he’ll be indicted, the federal government is moving in so many different directions on this case – it’s impossible to know for sure.
