Azzam Elder

DETROIT – The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced on Monday the conclusion of the Wayne County government investigation. The federal government will not seek additional charges in the case.

U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan Barbara McQuade thanked county officials who participated in the investigation, including the staff of the Wayne County executive. 

“Their assistance and openness allowed federal investigators to carefully review and assess a number of complex issues regarding the operation of county government,” McQuade said in a statement.

The three-year probe, which resulted in the conviction of five county officials, cleared former County Executive Robert Ficano and his deputy Azzam Elder, who were scrutinized by the media amid allegations of corruption.

McQuade sent Elder a “rare” letter absolving him of any charges. 

“This letter is to advise you that the federal investigation into allegations of misconduct within Wayne County government is now complete,” Reads the letter that addresses Elder. “Based on the evidence we have reviewed, we have not identified violations of federal law involving you, and therefore, we do not intend to bring charges against you in connection with the investigation.” 

Elder’s attorney Gerald Evelyn said the clearance letter is “very rare but justified.” 

“[A]fter leaving no stone unturned, this clearance letter proves that federal investigators feel confident that Azzam Elder had done nothing wrong or inappropriate,” the attorney said in a statement. “This letter is a strong indicator that they recognize the unfair impact the investigation has had on him on a personal and professional level.”

Elder said in a statement that while he is not surprised by the outcome of the investigation, he is glad to close this chapter. 

“I was fully transparent during this investigation and today’s comments by U.S. Attorney McQuade, thanking and commending certain officials, recognizes my transparency,” Elder added. “As a former prosecutor, and advocate against public corruption, I am glad the FBI thoroughly investigated, and I am very grateful they have gone the extra step to formerly clear my name leaving no doubt.”

Elder said the damage inflicted on his family and reputation by the ordeal is “immeasurable.”

“The lesson learned and remembered should be that a rush to judgment based on rumors and innuendo can be irreversible to one’s reputation,” Elder said.

The former Wayne County deputy executive thanked his friends and family, who supported him, throughout the investigation. 

A source close to Elder blamed the media for the assault’s on Elder’s character.

“Good public servants had their careers and reputation ruined because of the sensational reporting, especially because of the TV media,” the source told The Arab American News. 

Ficano welcomed the conclusion of the investigation, saying that it terribly affected him and his family.

“I have always had faith in the justice system,” he said in a statement. “That’s why I have defended it and spent my entire career upholding the law, as an attorney, sheriff and Wayne County Executive. Today, my record and my good name have been cleared and I move on with confidence and renewed faith.”

The former Wayne County CEO said he hopes “those who rejudged and sensationalized the situation” have learned a lesson from the ordeal.

Former economic development chief Turkia Mullin was also cleared of any charges.