Head of public works in Michigan sentenced to 3 months, then house arrest for extortion and threats against developer

The head of public works in a Detroit suburb was sentenced to three months in jail followed by house arrest for threatening a developer with retaliation unless he bought tickets to a fundraiser, which amounts to extortion.

The federal Macomb County corruption investigation has snared around two dozen officials and businessmen including an elected prosecutor, but the biggest catch has been Anthony Marrocco, 74, who headed public works for over 20 years.

Marrocco's aide Dino Bucci pleaded guilty to forcing contractors to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to his bosses' campaigns over the years, but Bucci died a year ago.

Prosecutors had wanted a longer prison sentence for Marrocco but settled for the three months because of Marrocco's health. His home confinement will be for more than a year, however, Judge Robert Cleland said.

Marrocco was finally pushed out of office by then-U.S. Rep. Candice Miller in 2016.

He has a home in Florida but will have to remain in Michigan during his home confinement, the Detroit Free Press said.