ROMULUS, Mich. – The former Romulus chief of police, his wife and other Romulus police officers were in court Wednesday for felony charges.
Former chief Michael St. Andre and his wife, Sandra, along with five members of his former team of special investigators, are facing felony charges including embezzlement and neglect of duty.
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The officers are accused of taking thousands of dollars in drug forfeiture money and spending it at strip clubs on sex, alcohol and marijuana.
Michael St. Andre and his wife are accused of taking the drug money to buy a tanning salon business.
The three-year corruption investigation involves 20,000 documents packed with details, says Lori Dawson, the Wayne County assistant prosecutor.
"The 20,000 documents are riddled with private and confidential information of each of the parties," Dawson said.
One of the officers charged, a detective, is represented by former Wayne County assistant prosecutor Paul Bernier. Bernier worked on the prosecutor's drug unit.
St. Andre is represented by former assistant prosecutor Todd Lanctot.
"Well I am sure that it will be a fight," Lanctot said. "It will be a fight in court. We're definitely not going to have a fight in the media."
St. Andre resigned from his chief position in September. The other police officers are on unpaid suspension from the Romulus Police Department.
The next scheduled court date is Nov. 7.