Detroit City Councilmember Gabe Leland stands accused of extorting a constituent for $15,000, has been identified as a "target subject" in a wide-ranging FBI corruption investigation that has ensnared numerous public officials in metro Detroit, and has helped steer millions of dollars in business to companies owned by his former girlfriend's family.
And though he may be under investigation for potential violations of the law — Leland knows his damn rights, and he's not afraid to invoke them.
In a sworn deposition obtained by WJBK-TV, Leland repeatedly pleaded the Fifth Amendment in response to questions about an alleged payment of as much as $15,000, his dealings with the FBI, and his relations with Gasper Fiore — a towing titan convicted of bribery and the father of Leland's former girlfriend, Jennifer Fiore.
Leland is accused in a civil suit of offering to help Detroit business owner Robert Carmack with a property dispute in exchange for a $15,000 campaign contribution. Carmack has said he informed the FBI of the situation and that, based on the advice of federal agents, he wore a wire at the time of the exchange of money with a Leland associate.…