Birmingham Attorney Pleads Guilty to Bribing a Federal Agent, Fraud and Tax Evasion

BIRMINGHAM, MI — Charles T. Busse, 57, of Birmingham, pleaded guilty Thursday to charges
of bribery, conspiracy to defraud the United States, tax evasion and failure to report cash payments of more than $10,000, announced U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade.

Busse pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn in Detroit.

According to court records, Busse admitted to paying bribes to a Special Agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations to obtain numerous deferrals of deportation and other immigration benefits for his clients.

Busse, who maintains law offices in Rochester Hills and Dearborn, also admitted to conspiring to obstruct the function of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In addition, he pleaded guilty to criminal tax evasion and violating the federal law that requires an attorney to report any cash payments of more than $10,000. The crimes are alleged to have occurred between 2009 and 2015. The four charged crimes carry maximum penalties of between five and fifteen years.

A sentencing date will be set by the court.

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