Victor Mercado became the highest-ranking Hispanic city official in Detroit history when then- Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick named him director of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department in 2002.
He held that post from 2002-2008 earning $240,000 a year which also made him one of the highest paid public employees in the state.
Federal prosecutors say Mercado was involved in Kwame Kilpatrick and Bobby Ferguson's pay-to-play scheme that stole millions of dollars from the regional water system.
Mercado is charged with racketeering, extortion, mail fraud, obstruction of justice, malicious threats to extort money and public official accepting bribes.
Victor Mercado
Co-defendant, former Water and Sewerage Director
WDIV