R. Michael Bullotta's
Signature Cases
United States v. Kwame Kilpatrick, et al.:
Michael led a team of agents from the FBI, IRS and EPA in a sweeping investigation into the pay-to-play administration of then Mayor of Detroit, Kwame Kilpatrick. Following a six-year investigation, Michael obtained an indictment of the former Mayor on numerous charges, including racketeering conspiracy, extortion, mail and wire fraud and tax evasion. Michael and his team conducted a six-month trial, with Michael delivering the closing argument for the United States.
The landmark trial ended in the conviction of Kilpatrick on 24 federal felony charges. Kilpatrick was sentenced to 28 years imprisonment, the longest federal sentence of a public official in the history of the United States. In addition to Mr. Kilpatrick, the investigation led to the conviction of approximately thirty other high-level public officials and private contractors.
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United States v. Charles Rizzo, et al.:
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United States v. Eric Smith
Michael investigated and prosecuted Eric Smith, then the sitting elected Prosecutor for Macomb County. The case involved fraud schemes and the theft of campaign funds, as well as obstructing justice in a federal grand jury investigation. Mr. Smith has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
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United States v. Anthony Marrocco
After leading a lengthy investigation involving agents from the FBI and IRS, Michael obtained an indictment of the former Macomb County Department of Public Works Director Anthony Marrocco. According to the indictment, for decades Marrocco extorted developers and contractors for campaign money in exchange for building permits or contracts. The case is pending trial. The investigation also resulted in guilty pleas by Marrocco’s top deputy, Dino Bucci, on charges of conspiracy to commit extortion, bribery and theft.
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United States v. Richard Sollars
Michael investigated and obtained the indictment of City of Taylor mayor Richard Sollars, on bribery, conspiracy and wire fraud charges. The indictment alleges, among other crimes, that Sollars was awarding city-owned properties to a local developer in exchange for free upgrades to Sollars’ home and lake house. The case is pending trial.
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United States v. Monica Conyers
Michael investigated and obtained an indictment of then Detroit City Councilmember Monica Conyers, on bribery charges. Conyers later pleaded guilty.
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United States v. Alonzo Bates
Michael investigated and prosecuted former Detroit City Councilman Alonzo Bates for extortion and theft of government funds. Bates was charged with having “ghost employees” on his city payroll, including his girlfriend’s daughter and a handyman who worked on Bates’ home. Bates was convicted following a jury trial.
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United States v. Cierre Campbell
Campbell was a Detroit Police officer who, at the advent of the internet, was filming drug addicts in the Detroit area using illegal narcotics and placing it on his pay website called “Streets Illustrated.” Following a jury trial, Campbell was convicted of distribution of illegal narcotics.
United States v. Celia Washington
Michael successfully investigated and prosecuted Celia Washington, Deputy Chief of Police of the Detroit Police Department. The case ended with guilty pleas to bribery conspiracy charges by Washington and Detroit towing magnate Gasper Fiore.