Ex-school board president, contractor charged in alleged bribery scheme

MADISON HEIGHTS — Albert Morrison, the former board president of the Madison District Public Schools, who in April was indicted on federal charges of tax evasion and failure to file tax returns, now faces an additional charge of conspiracy to commit bribery. He allegedly accepted payments of more than $560,000 from John David, a past contractor for the school district.

Prosecutors say that the bribes were done in exchange for $3.1 million in school contracts to David’s company, Emergency Restoration.

Morrison, 60, and David, 64, are charged as co-conspirators, each with three counts of bribery concerning programs that receive federal funds. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison on July 14.

“Children and their parents deserve a school system free of corruption,” Ison said in a statement. “Today’s indictment demonstrates our commitment to ensure that our educational systems put the interests of our kids first.”

Morrison served as the board president from 2012 through 2018. From 2014 through 2018, David allegedly wrote checks from Emergency Restoration to Morrison’s solely owned company, Comfort Consulting. Morrison then reportedly deposited those checks into his personal bank account.

Authorities say that at least $561,667 in payments were made in this fashion, which Morrison allegedly spent on luxuries including restaurants, a boat slip and vacations in Florida. Neither David nor Morrison disclosed these payments to state auditors. The indictment also alleges that Morrison kept the payments secret from the IRS, failing to report them as income during the 2014-2018 tax years. Morrison also reportedly did not file a federal income tax return in any of those years except 2014. In this way, Morrison is said to have avoided paying roughly $118,200 in taxes.

An indictment is an accusation and not evidence of guilt, but if convicted, Morrison and David each face maximum penalties of five years in prison for the conspiracy charge, and 10 years for each of the three bribery charges against them. Morrison also faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each charge of tax evasion, and one year for each charge of failure to file tax returns.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation Division, and the Michigan Department of Education.

When contacted by the Madison-Park News July 14, a representative for Emergency Restoration said, “No comment at this time.” David did not have an attorney on record at press time.

Attempts to reach Rhonda Brazile, the attorney on file for Morrison, were unsuccessful.

 

District’s business dealings with contractor questioned in 2018
In February 2018, the Madison-Park News investigated allegations by Mark Kimble, who at the time was a school board trustee. Kimble was concerned about the 2016 sale of the land once occupied by Monroe Elementary School, located at Dallas and Barrett avenues. By the start of 2018, the construction of more than 30 new homes was imminent, distressing neighbors who had enjoyed the peace and quiet of a park.  

The school board, under Morrison’s leadership, had sold more than 3.5 acres at the site for $60,000 to Emergency Restoration, which reportedly planned to build the new homes there. As a point of comparison, in 2009, the city paid $121,000 for 1 acre, using federal grant money through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. 

The sale was also completed without a competitive bid, and without Morrison disclosing his friendship with David. Morrison only disclosed that relationship months after the sale was completed. 

During the November 2018 election, Morrison decided not to run for reelection. Kimble was elected the new president, and the new board majority immediately severed all business ties with Emergency Restoration. 

Shortly before the November 2018 election, the state released a report validating the majority of Kimble’s claims. The Michigan Department of Education, along with the Michigan Office of Internal Audit Services, found that during Morrison’s time as president, the district sidestepped bidding requirements by splitting up invoices and classifying all repairs as “emergencies.” Emergency Restoration was also being paid fees and operating without board authorization to do “construction management work” for the district. 

The state noted that all vendors in the district had been operating without contracts, and that not a single purchase order had been used by the district or its contractors, which is required by the board’s bylaws.

The state’s report in 2018 failed to substantiate claims that a “questionable relationship” existed between Morrison and Emergency Restoration — one that resulted in competitive bids not occurring, preferential treatment and/or Morrison benefiting financially.

Cindy Holder, the board president of the Madison District Public Schools, shared her thoughts in a phone interview July 14.

“We’re hoping this process is thorough, and we look forward to when it’s completed so that we can move ahead,” Holder said.

Kimble no longer serves on the board. With Morrison and David now facing federal charges, Kimble said he is relieved to see the case moving forward.

“I look forward to seeing the other players exposed in this,” Kimble said in a phone interview. “The infestation runs deep.”