Federal judge grants rare interview of Bucci in criminal case
Former Marrocco deputy’s health a concern
A federal judge recently allowed sworn statements by Dino Bucci in the criminal case against his former boss, Anthony Marrocco, due to questions around his declining health.
In a rare order in a criminal case, U.S. District Judge Robert Cleland approved a “rule 15” deposition that granted a joint request by the prosecution and defense for Bucci to be interviewed by assistant U.S. attorneys as part of the case against Marrocco for alleged corruption when he served as Macomb County Public Works commissioner. The interview has not yet taken place.
The deposition was initially scheduled for Aug. 10 but has not taken place, according to Marrocco’s attorney Steve Fishman, who declined to elaborate.
“The court finds exceptional circumstances exist and the interest of justice allows for the deposition of Dino Bucci,” the judge wrote in the Aug. 3 order. “The deposition will take place at Henry Ford Hospital in Clinton Township, Michigan, or at a location determined by the changing circumstances surrounding Mr. Bucci’s health.”
An Aug. 19 status conference in Marrocco’s case was adjourned to Aug. 24 then again pushed back to Sept. 21.
The sworn deposition, to be recorded by audio and video, could be used at Marrocco’s trial if Bucci is unavailable.
Sworn depositions are routine in civil cases but not in criminal cases.
Bucci’s attorney, Stephen Rabaut, said last week his client was not in the hospital but did not elaborate.
Bucci was on a list for a kidney transplant, township employees said in 2020.
Marrocco can attend but waived his right to do so, court documents say.
Marrocco, 73, who served as commissioner for 24 years through 2016, was indicted in May 2020 on one count of conspiracy to commit extortion, two counts of extortion and one count of attempted extortion for his alleged actions while in office.
Bucci, 61, who worked as Marrocco’s top deputy for 22 years, pleaded guilty in May 2020 to reduced charges of theft and extortion conspiracies for his alleged actions while serving as a Macomb Township trustee as part of a deal to provide information about Marrocco to the feds. Bucci was originally indicted in November 2017 on 18 counts of conspiracy, bribery, theft, extortion, mail fraud and money laundering in connection with public contracts.
Bucci resigned from his county post early in 2017 under pressure from new Republican Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller, who took office Jan. 1, 2017, after defeating Democrat Marrocco in the November 2016 election. Miller won re-election last November. Bucci vacated his township trustee seat in November 2018 after being absent from board meetings for a year.
Bucci’s sentencing in federal court has been delayed twice and is now set for Sept. 30. Bucci faces up to 10 years in prison, and prosecutors have recommended a nine-year term.
Bucci also faces a 90-day misdemeanor for failure to stop after a pair of Jan. 21 minor property damage accidents along Hall Road in Chesterfield and Macomb townships.
Rabaut at the time called the charge politically motivated, adding Bucci was suffering from a diabetic reaction while driving home from dialysis treatment.
An Aug. 26 pretrial in 41A District Court in Shelby Township has been reset for Sept. 9.
Christopher Sorrentino, a Macomb Township contractor, admitted in court to giving more than $90,000 to Bucci for work that was never performed. He reached a plea deal in which he will spend 10 to 16 months in prison, depending on his level cooperation with prosecutors in the corruption investigation.
He is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 18 by Cleland.
The trio is among over two dozen public officials and private citizens who have been charged by the feds and most have been convicted as part of a yearslong, widespread publiccorruption probe by federal agents centered in Macomb County.