Contractor Shady Awad convicted of bribing Taylor Mayor Rick Sollars

Shady Awad, a real estate developer who bribed Taylor’s former mayor with cash, an $1,800 humidor and home renovations in exchange for valuable city contracts, was sentenced Wednesday to a year and a day in prison.

Awad, 44, of Allen Park, was sentenced to a $10,000 fine by U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith, one day after former Mayor Rick Sollars was sentenced to nearly six years for receiving bribes and stealing campaign money. In total, Sollars received $84,538 in bribes in exchange for helping Awad obtain foreclosed homes from the city.

They are the two main figures in one of the largest public corruption scandals of the past decade in Metro Detroit, which has led to four convictions. Former Sollars employee Jeffrey Baum and party store owner Hadir Altoon will be sentenced early next month for their roles in the corruption scandal.

Prosecutors wanted Awad to spend 15 to 19 months in federal prison, arguing he deserved a break because he cooperated and helped expose the bribery scheme. That cooperation included testifying earlier this year during a days-long session that helped determine the amount of bribes Sollars received.

“This sentence will send a clear message that bribing government officials to advance your own personal or business interests will not be tolerated and will have serious consequences, even for someone who acknowledges responsibility and participates in the prosecution of others,” said U.S. Assistant -lawyers. Frances Carlson and Robert Moran wrote in a sentencing memorandum.

Awad’s attorney, David DuMouchel, requested probation or, at worst, house arrest so the real estate developer could continue running his business and keep jobs. Awad is remorseful, accepts responsibility and is helping with more than just the Sollars investigation, his lawyer wrote.

“There is no doubt that Mr. Awad’s cooperation directly resulted in other defendants accepting plea deals, both in this and other cases,” DuMouchel wrote.

Awad pleaded guilty three years ago to bribery conspiracy, a five-year felony. He admitted to bribing Sollars and in return, Awad’s real estate company received 95 tax-foreclosed properties in Taylor for redevelopment.

“I am sorry for my actions that led to me being charged in this case,” Awad wrote in a letter to the court. “I wish I could go back and do things differently, but obviously I can’t.”

His attorney also noted that Awad has contributed more money to the city in the form of legitimate donations than unlawful payments to Sollars.

“Between 2015 and 2018, Mr. Awad donated more than $150,000 to the city of Taylor, which was used to build a movie theater, batting cage and splash pad,” the attorney wrote. “That money was also used to purchase a huge Christmas tree for the city.”

The suit portrays Sollars as demanding and impatient about the pace at which Awad’s free wood floors and a refinished deck are being installed at his lake house.

“I just left and there is no (sic) in sight,” Sollars texted Awad on July 20, 2017, according to the complaint. ‘They haven’t even been there to wash the stream. I’m now going to run into a huge scheduling conflict.”

Prosecutors cited numerous text messages in the indictment. In one, Sollars complained about the slow pace of free renovations to his cottage in July 2017.

In response, Awad urged an unknown contractor to complete the project.

“My relationship with Rick is worth a million dollars, so whatever it takes, I will pay for it,” Awad wrote, according to the complaint.

Sollars also received $4,000 from Awad during a trip to Las Vegas in October 2017, prosecutors said.

“Awad referred to the money as a ‘care package,’” assistant U.S. attorneys wrote in the complaint.

Awad bought the mayor a wooden cigar humidor worth $1,800 in September 2016, prosecutors said.

That wasn’t enough to satisfy Solarrs.

“(Awad) will call you in a panic,” Sollars wrote to Baum, according to the complaint. “I just asked him when the Cuban cigars to fill him will arrive.”

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Contractor Shady Awad convicted of bribing Taylor Mayor Rick Sollars

By Sheisoe

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