Romulus— The first
in a series of trials into allegations of wide-ranging corruption within the
Romulus Police Department begins this week.
On Thursday, Sandra
Vlaz-St. Andre, wife of the former Romulus Police Chief Michael St. Andre, goes
on trial for allegedly using money belonging to the department on a tanning
salon. The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office alleges that the money came from the
department’s drug forfeiture funds and was embezzled by her husband while he was
chief.
A second trial in
the case is scheduled for Feb. 24 and involves former Romulus Police Detectives
Jeremey Channells and Larry Droege, who are charged with misconduct in
office.
The former chief and
former Romulus Police Officers Richard Balzer, Richard Landry and Donald Hopkins
face trial later in the year for their alleged roles in the case, which involved
charges of embezzlement of more than $100,000 in drug forfeiture funds and
running a criminal enterprise from 2006 to 2011.
The trials cap a
three-year investigation by the Michigan State Police that resulted in dozens of
charges, the most serious of which is operating a criminal enterprise, which
carries a 20-year prison sentence.
Prosecutors maintain
the defendants pretended to be investigating the Landing Strip Bar in Romulus
and Subi’s Place in Southgate. The phony investigations, it is alleged, were a
ruse for hiring prostitutes from nearby strip clubs and fabricating expenses for
which they were later reimbursed.
During one year, the
officers allegedly spent $40,000 in forfeiture funds on prostitutes, marijuana
and alcohol, prosecutors said. St. Andre is accused of using $75,000 from the
funds to pay for trips and to buy his wife the tanning salon.
The former chief
faces 10 charges. His wife is charged with acquiring or maintaining a criminal
enterprise and conspiracy to maintain a criminal enterprise. Both face up to 20
years in prison if convicted.
Balzer’s attorney,
Mike Rataj, said although he doesn’t expect his client will go to trial until
the summer, he is confident he will be cleared of the charges.
“We’re ready to try
this case, and we’re confident we’re going to win,” said Rataj, who added there
are a few issues to be worked out before Balzer’s trial
begins.