Former city mayor’s sentencing expected this week

LeRoy Burcroff

Former Romulus Mayor LeRoy Burcroff is expected to be sentenced to prison this week by Federal District Judge Denise Page Hood following his guilty plea to charges he misspent political campaign funds and wire fraud.

During a hearing last week, however, Burcroff's attorney, Walter Piszczatowski argued that the 16-month prison sentence requested by federal prosecutors should be no more than 6 months based on the amount of money actually misspent.  

Piszczatowski told the court that the amount claimed by U.S. attorneys was less than the government had calculated. Prosecutors claimed that Burcroff spent $15,000 from campaign donations including $6,000 for his daughter's wedding, more than $3,000 on a Florida vacation and $11,600 at the Belleville Yacht Club for dues and expenses. 

In court last week, however, Piszczatowski  argued that the Florida trip was partially a business expense as Burcroff attended a meeting to discuss healthcare costs that could be of benefit to Romulus. Piszczatowski also said that Burcroff's daughter's wedding was also a campaign victory party, making it a legitimate campaign expense.

If the attorney's arguments are accepted by the judge and less than the $21,000 was improperly spent, it could lessen Burcroff's sentence. 

Piszczatowski told reporters than he believes the range should be no higher than 6 months and could be probation.