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William Smith enjoying life (U.S. Attorney photo)
A federal court filing on Thursday states that William Smith, former CFO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy who pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $40 million from the nonprofit agency, regrets his actions.
“I want the judge to know that I am extremely remorseful and want the opportunity to work to get the victims as close to whole as possible," Smith said, according to a presentence investigation report. "I am ashamed of what I’ve done to the city and the project that I love. This behavior is something I will never repeat. My intentions are to continue working to restore the trust and respect of the community that I let down.”
The presentence investigation report was cited in a sentencing memorandum filed by Smith's attorneys, who are challenging the government's recommendation that Smith be sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Defense attorneys Gerald Evelyn and Robert Higbee argued that the government, in its sentencing memorandum, recommended an excessive punishment and failed to note that Smith had fully cooperated with the criminal investigation and also had notable personal strengths.
"While the government has been interested in only presenting one side of the defendant’s history, it is clear that he is more than just a person who stands convicted of two very serious crimes rooted in a breach of trust," Smith's lawyers wrote. "In order to sentence the defendant, this Court should have a complete picture of his background, including family and community activities, particularly community support."
"The defendant has no prior criminal history, and the extremely public nature of this offense, together with his age (52), makes the possibility of reoffending extremely unlikely—particularly since the likelihood of the defendant being employed in a position of trust is virtually nonexistent at this point. Therefore, it’s safe to conclude that Mr. Smith poses a low risk of recidivism."
As part of his sentence, the attorneys wrote, Smith requires treatment for his history of alcohol abuse.
The memorandum also includes letters from several supporters who wrote to the judge on Smith’s behalf.
One supporter, Iman S. Hoggard wrote, “Despite his mishaps, I can’t view him in another light. I have watched him firsthand help people who were truly in need. I’ve witnessed him single-handedly change people’s lives."
Federal prosecutors stated in a 35-page sentencing memorandum filed last week in U.S. District Court in Detroit:
"Smith spent the embezzled funds almost exclusively on goods and services for himself, his family, and his personal associates. Smith’s lifestyle was lavish and his tastes extravagant. Over the course of his scheme, Smith spent enormous sums of money on basketball tickets, cruises, private jet travel, designer clothing, jewelry, and other trappings of wealth and comfort."
He also gave $3.7 million to a romantic interest identified in the court documents as S.R., and leased her a Maserati. The documents described the woman as an associate who became romantically involved with Smith.
