By: Mark Vest | West Bloomfield Beacon | Published December 14, 2023
WEST BLOOMFIELD — On Dec. 6, West Bloomfield resident Kevin Gunn pleaded guilty to charges of stealing over $4,000 in Wayne County funds, according to a press release from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.
Gunn, 64, and Westland resident Jazmine Bass, 32, were charged in August by Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy.
Gunn and Bass were accused of stealing over $4,000 in county funds while they were employed by Wayne County, in the Roads Division.
Gunn was Bass’ supervisor when she worked for the Wayne County Roads Division, in the Bridges Department.
On Dec. 5, 2022, Gunn reportedly diverted county workers who were paid overtime and took county-owned building materials to build out Bass’ store, Romulus Nutrition, which is located in Romulus.
Romulus Nutrition is not a Wayne County enterprise.
For their roles in the fraudulent scheme, Gunn and Bass were each charged with one count of larceny over $1,000 but less than $20,000.
On March 24, 2022, the Wayne County Executive’s Office sent the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office an anonymous tip letter about misuse of taxpayer dollars at the Wayne County Roads Division, in connection with Romulus Nutrition.
“They requested an investigation that was conducted by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” the release states. “The investigation led to the current state charges against Gunn and Bass.”
According to the release, Gunn was also charged in a federal indictment based upon separate facts and allegations.
On Nov. 8, he was sentenced to 32 months in prison in his federal case. He was also ordered to pay $2.3 million in restitution.
Bass was arraigned Aug. 29 in 34th District Court and given a $5,000 personal bond.
Gunn was arraigned Sept. 5 in 34th District Court and also was given a $5,000 personal bond.
On Oct. 25, Bass pleaded guilty to larceny, $200-$1,000, and was immediately sentenced to one year of probation.
She was also ordered to pay $1,182.74 in restitution personally and $2,900 in restitution jointly and severally.
On Dec. 6, Gunn also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years of probation, which is set to run concurrently with his federal sentence.
He was also ordered to pay $2,900 in restitution.
His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 24 before Judge Nicholas Hathaway.
Bass’ attorney did not provide comments by press time. An attorney for Gunn could not be reached.