Ex-Detroit Police Deputy Chief Indicted In Towing Scandal

DETROIT, MI–Celia Washington, the former deputy chief of police in Detroit, has been indicted in a wide-ranging scandal that touches on towing contracts in Detroit, trash hauling services in Sterling Heights and the Public Works Office in Macomb County.

For her part, an indictment in U.S. District Court in Detroit alleges that she took bribes from an unidentified towing company. In exchange for "thousand of dollars in cash," she would help the towing company secure permits and get rotation placement in the city, the indictment said.

Washington, in an interview with the Detroit Free Press, denied the allegations.

"It's absolutely untrue," Washington told the Free Press in a phone interview. "I am livid ... I did not accept a bribe ... I have a stellar career for 20 years. I worked my butt off helping people."

The indictment alleges that Washington accepted the bribes between February 2016 and June 2017. In February 2016, she met with the towing company owner and requested money, and received at least $3,000 in cash.

Washington, 57, resigned in June as deputy chief from the department, according to the Detroit News. Her resignation came after the newspaper revealed the FBI was investigating her possible involvement in a scandal that involved towing company owner Gasper Fiore, according to the newspaper.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig called the allegations "extremely troubling," in a statement released by the U.S. Attorney's office.

“It’s certainly a betrayal, not only to the men and women of this police department and my office, but the citizens of this city. That stain is present. This is deeply troubling and a significant betrayal to this organization.”

In a statement, acting United States Attorney Daniel L. Lemisch said that Craig assisted in the investigation.

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