Interim CEO of Rizzo Environmental Services goes on offensive

CEO Chuck Rizzo resigned Tuesday

DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. – Another day, another elected official hauled off by the FBI in Macomb County.

Meanwhile, the company at the center of the political corruption probe saw its CEO resign. Tuesday night, the new interim CEO hit the pavement to see if Rizzo will be able to salvage business.

"Dearborn Heights means a lot to us as a company, that being the founder and CEO of the company, that's why I'm here," Patrick Dovigi said.

Rizzo's new interim CEO went on the offensive Tuesday. Dovigi is the CEO of multibillion-dollar Green For Life, the environmental company in Canada that just bought Rizzo at the end of last month and found itself smack dab in the middle of a federal probe.

Dovigi is now running the day-to-day at Rizzo since well-known company CEO Chuck Rizzo abruptly resigned Tuesday after a second Macomb Township elected official -- Trustee Cliff Freitas -- was busted by the FBI for shaking down Rizzo for bribes.

Dovigi went to Dearborn Heights to salvage the contract the city had already agreed to with Rizzo.

"I don't like that every other week we're getting a surprise," Councilwoman Marge Horvath said.

Council members are leery of approving the deal, and three members of the audience complained about Rizzo. But in the end, the council voted for the contract.

Local 4’s Rod Meloni will have a live report on Local 4 at 5 p.m. 

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About the Authors:

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.