City Lead Inspector Charged with Abusing Office

A City of Detroit lead inspector appeared before a United States Magistrate today on a complaint charging him with abusing his official position to commit wire fraud, after having been arrested last evening. Named in the complaint was Donald Patterson, age 49, of Detroit. The supporting affidavit alleges that Patterson works as a lead inspector for the city of Detroit. A young child was admitted to a Detroit hospital with a badly elevated blood lead level. Michigan law requires that the City of Detroit investigate for lead hazards the home in which any child with an elevated blood lead level resides. The investigation into the home of this child was assigned to Patterson. Patterson identified a lead issue in this childs home. Rather than insist on proper lead removal, Patterson offered to the landlord that in exchange for $200, wired to Patterson personally, he would train the grandfather of the child, who was living in the home, to take care of the lead problem. Patterson separately made the same offer to the childs grandfather, in exchange for $200 cash paid directly to Patterson. The complaint further alleges that as a Detroit employee, Patterson was not permitted to make these offers or to receive this money. Further, he was not qualified to provide the training. Proper training in lead removal requires a one week course. Rather than provide proper training in exchange for the $400 he received, Patterson provided a 15 minute explanation on how to use paint stripper. In particular, Patterson did not inform the childs grandfather that it was important to keep the child out of the home during any lead abatement, and the child was, in fact, again exposed to lead in the home while the grandfather attempted to follow Pattersons instructions. Patterson appeared in federal court this afternoon and was released on an unsecured bond. His preliminary examination is scheduled for 1 p.m. on September 21, 2009. A conviction for wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison or a $500,000 fine, or both. Any sentence will ultimately be imposed under the United States Sentence Guidelines according to the nature of the offense and the criminal background, if any, of the defendant. The City of Detroit, the Michigan Department of Community Health, the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Unit of the Wayne County Prosecutors Office, the EPA and the FBI have begun a joint and comprehensive review of the records of the Childhood Lead Poisoning and Prevention Control office of the Detroit Health & Wellness Promotion Department, to ensure that other reported incidents of elevated blood lead levels have been handled appropriately. Citizens who are concerned that their home may be a a lead hazard are encouraged to call the Detroit Department of Health & Wellness Promotion, Community Service Division, at 313.876.4303, or the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) at (866) 691-5323. Concerned citizens may also call CLEARCorps Detroit at 313.924.4000. CLEARCorps is a grass-roots organization that administers state lead programs and can provide resources to concerned parents. In addition, the agencies encourage any citizen who has had a home inspected for lead by Donald Patterson, or who feel that they have been the victim of fraud in connection with lead removal, to call Principal Attorney Mary DuFour Morrow, of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Unit of the Wayne County Prosecutors Office, at 313.224.5780. A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is completed a determination will be made whether to seek a felony indictment.