Detroit Councilman Andre Spivey faces federal fees, lawyer says

Federal prosecutors today charged Detroit City Councilman Andre Spivey with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, his lawyer said.

“Mr. Spivey has been fully cooperating with the federal authorities for over a year. At no time has he been combative or elusive,” Spivey’s attorney, Elliott Hall, said in a statement.

Spivey allegedly took $1,000 from an undercover agent about three years ago, Hall said in an interview, but Spivey did nothing in return for the money.

An indictment charging Spivey is not accessible — or has not yet been filed — according to an online database of federal court records. Hall said earlier Tuesday that an indictment was expected later in the day.

Federal prosecutors did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“Mr. Spivey has a great deal of faith in the justice system and is hoping to have this issue resolved very soon,” Hall said.

Spivey serves as the Detroit councilman for District 4. The Detroit native and Cass Tech grad was first elected citywide in November 2009.

During his tenure, the councilman introduced an ordinance to require video cameras at gas stations to improve safety — a precursor to the Detroit Police Department’s Green Light project. 

Spivey, who represents the 4th District on the city’s far-east side, originally said he would pursue one of two at-large council seats in the upcoming election, but ended up not trying to put his name on the ballot.