FBI seized more than $200K from Taylor mayor's home during raid

By Steve Neavling

Mar 22, 2019 at 12:59 pm

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FBI seized more than $200K from Taylor mayor's home during raid

Courtesy of FBI

The FBI seized more than $200,000 from the home of Taylor Mayor Rick Sollars during a raid last month.

Sollars, who has not yet been charged, is accused of bribery, money laundering, racketeering, and wire fraud.

On Feb. 19, FBI agents raided city hall, Sollars’ home and cottage, and the home and office of a city contractor.

Federal prosecutors also want to seize Sollars’ house in Taylor and lakefront cottage near Lenawee County, the Detroit News reports.

A week after the raid, prosecutors filed liens for the properties, which are worth about $600,000. If Sollars is convicted, the property could be forfeited to the government.

About three years ago, Sollars bought a cottage overlooking Silver Lake in Cement City. It’s valued at $300,000.

The FBI also raided the home and office of Realty Transition owner Shady Awad in Allen Park. His firm rehabilitates foreclosed properties and works for at least 15 local communities, including Detroit.

The raids were part of a widening corruption investigation in southeast Michigan that so far has led to charges against more than 40 public officials and private contractors.

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About The Author

Steve Neavling

Steve Neavling is an award-winning investigative journalist who operated Motor City Muckraker, an online news site devoted to exposing abuses of power and holding public officials accountable. Neavling also hosted Muckraker Report on 910AM from September 2017 to July 2018. Before launching Motor City Muckraker,...