Ex Detroit deputy chief indicted in towing scheme

DETROIT (WJBK) - A former Deputy Police Chief in Detroit was indicted Wednesday on conspiracy to receive kickbacks as part of an alleged towing scheme.

Celia Washington was indicted for the charge of receiving kickbacks by influencing towing contracts. She's accused of using her position as deputy chief to influence and steer towing business to a specific contractor.

According to the federal indictment, Washington received at least $5,000 in a series of transactions - and perhaps more between February 2016 and June 2017.

The indictment claims Washington met with the owner of the towing company and would accept thousands of dollars. In exchange, she would use her authority - which oversees the city's licensings, regulation, and use of private towing companies - to assist the owner with towing permits and rotation placement in the city of Detroit.

Beyond that, the indictment also says Washington helped the owner of the towing company violate city law that prohibits one owner from having multiple towing companies in a single district or precinct rotation.

The name of the towing company was not named.