Former county engineer pleads guilty to federal charges

DETROIT (AP) — A former Macomb County official has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery as part of a corruption scandal.


Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel L. Lemisch announced 68-year-old former Macomb County chief engineer James Pistilli of Holly entered the plea Wednesday.

Lemisch says Pistilli, while working for a private engineering firm in 2014, conspired with others to pay a $2,000 cash bribe to Steven Hohensee, who was then the superintendent of the Department of Public Works for Washington Township.

Pistilli did not know that HohePistilli faces up to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. 

He faces sentencing in January.