Charges in failed county jail project dismissed

DETROIT (AP) - Misconduct charges tied to a mismanaged jail-building project in Detroit have been dismissed against two ex-Wayne County officials.

County Circuit Judge Vonda Evans' order last Wednesday also dismisses neglect of duty charges against former chief financial officer Carla Sledge and former chief assistant corporation counsel Steven Collins. They were accused in 2014 of giving false or misleading information about the project's cost.

Prosecutors have not decided if Evans' ruling will be appealed.

The building was partially constructed when county commissioners voted to cancel contracts after the project went $91 million over its $220 million budget in 2013.

A deal was approved in June for a new criminal justice center and jail in another location. A real estate development company received the unfinished jail site for a planned mixed use development.

Published: Tue, Nov 27, 2018