Prosecutors: Grundy, Former Top Ficano Aide, Should Spend at Least 14 Years in Prison for Stealing 'from the Poor'

A former top aide to embattled Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano should go to prison for at least 14 years for stealing “from the poor” to pay for $10,000 hair plugs, a Mustang convertible, a Caribbean timeshare and nearly $2,000 in goodies from a local bakery, federal prosecutors say.

In a sentencing memo filed against Michael Grundy, federal prosecutors said he has “not shown any remorse for the damage he cause,” the Detroit Free Press reports.

“In essence, Grundy stole from the poor to bankroll his luxury lifestyle,” the government said, arguing for the term of 14-17.5 years in prison.

Prosecutors alleged in court documents that Grundy, the former executive director of HealthChoice of Michigan, was the ringleader of a criminal scheme to siphon as much as $1 million from insurance program designed to help the needy.

Grundy pleaded guilty to fraud after federal prosecutors alleged he took personally took hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks from the program.

His attorney, William Swor, is recommending a sentence in the 37-46 month range when he is sentenced on May 8.

Swor contends his client wasn’t acting as a public official when he committed the crime and also that the proceeds of the scheme were closer to $200,000 than the $1 million the government alleges.

“He certainly didn’t receive a $1 million benefit, and had no intention of receiving a $1 million benefit,” Swor has previously stated, the newspaper said.