Former 36th District Court Clerk Annette Bates of Detroit and her suspected co-conspirator, Charles Fair, are facing felony forgery charges.
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced both are facing two counts each of felony forgery.
The pair is accused of taking $20,000 in bribes for dismissing more than $40,000 in traffic tickets and fines.
A joint investigation between the Michigan Department of Attorney General and the FBI's Public Corruption Task Force showed that bribes were being accepted in exchange for dismissal of traffic citations over a two-year period, according to Schuette.
“Individuals with a blatant disregard for the law must realize there are consequences,” said Schuette in a press release. “Stealing from Detroit’s traffic citation funds is stealing from not just the City coffers, but stealing from those who are working hard to continue turning Detroit around.
Schuette also writes that these dismissals sometimes allowed drivers with suspended licenses to get back their operator's license.
Bates and Fair have been formally arraigned on the charges. The preliminary examination is set for December 14.
