Ex-Highland Park emergency manager Art Blackwell sentenced for misusing funds

Blackwell must pay back money, gets 2 years of probation

HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. – Former Highland Park Emergency Manager Art Blackwell was sentenced Wednesday to two years of probation on a misdemeanor of mismanaging funds.

Blackwell, who was originally charged with embezzlement, took a plea deal ahead of a scheduled trial in May.

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He pleaded no contest to a charge of public money safe keeping.

He was also ordered to pay $264,000 in restitution.

Blackwell was accused of raking in the money that wasn't authorized or part of his contract.

Blackwell was appointed by then Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm in April 2005 to bring the city out of financial trouble. He promised to work for the cash-strapped city for $1 a year.

But according to papers filed in a taxpayer lawsuit, in 2008 Blackwell's contract was renegotiated for an $11,000 per month salary.

The prosecutor's office's said the Michigan Department of Treasury conducted an audit and concluded that Blackwell was fully compensated for his services when he received $110,000 from April 2008 until his termination from the position in April 2009.

But Blackwell is also accused of writing himself a check from the city of Highland Park for the same services.

Blackwell has said Granholm personally approved the decision to change his pay from $1 per year to $11,000 per month.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said Blackwell paid himself $264,000 more in checks written from city funding. At the time, Highland Park was facing a $16 million deficit.

Charges dismissed, then reinstated

Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway in January 2011overturned a ruling that found there was probable cause to hold a trial for Blackwell.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy appealed the decision, and the Court of Appeals reinstated the charges.

A civil case filed against Blackwell by Michigan's attorney general is pending before the supreme court.

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