WARREN, Mich. – State police are looking into allegations that Warren Mayor Jim Fouts made threats to someone while using a telephone.
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A spokesperson from the Michigan State Police told Local 4 a man approached them last week alleging Fouts made threats to him over the phone. No other details about the alleged threat have been released. The police have interviewed the man, but have not yet interviewed Fouts.
Detectives hope to have their investigation wrapped up by next week. That's when they'll decide whether or not any criminal charges will be filed.
Fouts released this statement on Thursday:
"I recently had private phone conversations with a mayoral appointee on a variety of topics. The media has informed me that the Michigan State Police were informed of these conversations. The appointee never advised me that the conversations were taped, and I have never heard the tapes. I cannot discuss the private conversations I had because I have not heard the recordings. I have a large number of phone and in-person conversations with mayoral appointees, and I have always assumed they were private and confidential conversations. Apparently, for whatever reason, the mayoral appointee decided to inform the Michigan State Police, and the media was informed of the conversations. I learned today, through media reports, (4/25/13), the State Police were conducting an investigation based on those private conversations. I have not violated any laws and I am affronted by any insinuations that I have violated any laws. This investigation is not related in any way to the FBI investigation of a city employee. I will cooperate in every way when I am contacted by the State Police."
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Fouts announced in September that his office was cooperating with a federal grand jury looking into the purchase of Detroit suburb's trash trucks.
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