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Sudden death of Macomb Co. corruption informant getting more investigation

Posted at 1:05 PM, Oct 06, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-06 18:25:13-04

The sudden death of a cooperating witness in the ongoing FBI investigation into bribes and corruption in Macomb County will get additional scrutiny.   

The death of 61-year-old Steven Hohensee was originally thought to be natural causes. But sources tell 7 Action News that the Macomb County Medical Examiner is now doing a full autopsy and blood toxicology to be sure that a drug overdose is not the cause. 

The sources also say the body had been released for cremation, but is being bought back today to the ME office for this additional testing.  

Sources also say Hohenesee’s wife found her husband on the floor of their home in Shelby Township on Wednesday. Pill bottles were also nearby. 

Hohenesee is a former Washington Township public works superintendent. He was charged in July with accepting bribes of $10,000. The bribery charge would have been up to 10 years in prison but he was expected to take a plea deal.

Hohenesee helped the FBI build its case against two others, a contractor and a former Macomb County Public Works Chief Engineer who have also pleaded guilty. 

The FBI investigation so far has led to 16 people being charged with 9 pleading guilty.