The ex-Detroit Riverfront Conservancy CFO sentenced in April to prison for stealing more than $44 million from the nonprofit is asking a judge for more time to turn himself in, but wants to keep why and for how long a secret.
William Smith’s attorney, Gerald Evelyn, on Aug. 7 submitted a motion to seal the request that would give Smith more time before starting his 19-year prison sentence, citing “sensitive, personal medical information.” U.S. District Judge Susan DeClercq approved the motion to seal the same day, giving Evelyn until the end of the day to submit his extension request and prosecutors until Aug. 9 to reply with their position.
At an April 24 sentencing hearing, DeClercq gave Smith permission to self-surrender by an unspecified date to be decided by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Evelyn did not immediately reply to requests for comment. U.S. Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Gina Balaya said the office would oppose Smith’s motion to extend his reporting date. It did not oppose the request to seal the details.
Smith pleaded guilty late last year to one count each of wire fraud and money laundering for stealing from the nonprofit through an elaborate scheme that ran from 2012 through 2024. He was accused of using the money to support a lavish lifestyle, with court documents detailing millions of dollars wired to a mistress and spent on luxury travel and items.
The conservancy is among the region’s most well-funded nonprofits, and has over the past two decades redeveloped approximately 5 miles of the Detroit waterfront with philanthropic, public and private dollars.
He faced a maximum 20-year prison sentence, and DeClerq issued a punishment that exceeded the 18 years requested by prosecutors, describing Smith’s crimes as egregious, needless and harmful to everyday Detroiters.
“You stole from an organization dedicated to serving a city that had already felt the sting of corruption and the loss of jobs, people, and businesses,” DeClercq said at the time, later adding, “As far as I can tell, you’ve always had everything.”
Asked about Smith’s wish to report to jail at a later date, conservancy CEO Ryan Sullivan said in an email, “We appreciate the US Attorney’s ongoing efforts in this matter. Will Smith deserves to be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
Evelyn separately in May began the process of appealing Smith’s conviction, which includes a $48 million restitution order. It’s not yet clear what portion of the sentence he plans to appeal and on what grounds.
Violet Ikonomova is an investigative reporter at the Free Press covering Detroit. Contact her at vikonomova@freepress.com.
This story has been updated to add video.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ex-Detroit Riverfront CFO wants more time to report to prison, but details kept secret
Reporting by Violet Ikonomova, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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