Ex-Ecorse financial manager convicted in bribery case

DETROIT (AP) -- A federal jury has found a former Ecorse financial manager guilty of bribery.

Prosecutors say 63-year-old Earl Hollenquest accepted cash and a car from contractors in exchange for approving their bills.

The Detroit News reports Hollenquest was found not guilty last Friday of two counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States and a second bribery charge. The jury was hung on a second conspiracy count.

Defense lawyer Ray Richards says his client "came three-quarters of the way to being vindicated."

The arrests of Hollenquest and former Mayor Herbert Worthy resulted from a nearly two-year investigation by the FBI of public corruption in the suburban Detroit community.

Hollenquest faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the conviction.

A sentencing date has not been set.

Published: Tue, Jan 25, 2011