Long-time Michigan kingmaker staring at federal probe
DETROIT (AP) – Travelers arriving at the Detroit airport walk through what is practically a monument to Edward McNamara’s political clout. During his 16-year tenure as Wayne County executive, the Democrat led the $1.6 billion expansion of the cramped airport, and a terminal named in his honor opened nearly a year ago.
Known for launching the political careers of such state leaders as Gov.-elect Jennifer Granholm and for his fund-raising prowess, the 76-year-old is recognized as a kingmaker in Michigan politics.
But now, in his final days in office, his dealings have come under federal investigation in a probe that could alter his legacy.
Last month, FBI agents and State Police searched the Wayne County executive offices and campaign headquarters and took documents related to political races, fund-raising and airport contracts. Federal prosecutors have refused to disclose the exact nature of the investigation.
McNamara spokeswoman June West said that the county executive is not aware of any wrongdoing and that the focus of the probe is unclear. She added that county officials are cooperating with investigators.
“He expects everyone to be honest and open,” West said Friday.
McNamara has led Michigan’s largest county, home to 2 million of the state’s 9.9 million residents, since 1987. He chose not to seek re-election this year. Still known for the auto industry that fueled its growth, the heavily Democratic county includes Detroit and some of blue-collar suburbs, as well as the rich lakefront Grosse Pointe communities.
In addition to leading the expansion at the airport, with its new Edward H. McNamara terminal, the county executive erased a $135 million deficit, recorded 14 straight balanced budgets and restored the county’s bond rating on Wall Street to investment grade. He also played a key role in bringing two new sports stadiums to downtown Detroit.
“There’s no question that he was very successful in building up a kind of an old-fashioned political machine,” said Bill Ballenger, editor of Inside Michigan Politics, a nonpartisan newsletter.
McNamara, only the second person to hold the office of county executive since its creation in 1982, has been criticized for airport contracts awarded to campaign contributors, friends and relatives. A report issued by the state Senate committee last year concluded that the county was guilty of “extreme mismanagement.”
He also came under fire over his payroll. An analysis by The Detroit News published in August found 112 of his 332 appointees had base salaries of $100,000 or more.
“I could never understand why they gave Ed McNamara so much credit. He spent money like a madman,” said Rose Bogaert, chairwoman of the Wayne County Taxpayers Association.
The McNamara administration has defended the salaries, saying they reflect the apointees’ long years of service.
Three of his staff members have been subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand jury.
“I think our main concern is the image that it gives to this administration and to Wayne County, the damage that it does to the community,” McNamara said during the Nov. 22 search. “And if it is politically motivated, it really is a terrible disservice.”
Last week, U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Collins, a Republican appointed by President Bush, said the investigation is not politically motivated.
Because of Wayne County’s work force of more than 7,000 people and an annual budget of close to $2 billion, McNamara wielded power similar to that of a big-city mayor. He exercised influence way beyond Wayne County.
“He frequently plays in races where other politicians would sit out,” said Democratic consultant Ken Brock. “He gets involved in presidential primaries, he tries to shape the form of his county commission, he takes proteges and gives them an opportunity to succeed.”
In 1992, McNamara threw his support behind the presidential candidacy of Bill Clinton, who in 2000 recalled that McNamara “was there for me when only my mama thought I could get elected president.” Other the other politicians whose careers he helped launch is Granholm, who will be Michigan’s first woman governor.
Granholm, a Democrat, was working as Wayne County’s top lawyer in 1998 when McNamara suggested she run for state attorney general. She won.
It was Granholm who asked state police in January to look into the airport project, a step she took after coming under pressure for not looking more into the allegations about the airport.
She said in March that while it was clear mismanagement took place, no one had shown there was any criminal wrongdoing.
Last week, it was disclosed that Granholm’s campaign office received a subpoena for records connected to the probe of McNamara’s administration.
Collins said she is not the focus the investigation.