By Ashanti Lee Seabron
(DETROIT) In Wayne County Circuit Court Monday, embattled Detroit City Councilmember Gabe Leland pleaded guilty to misconduct in office and resigned from the Council, according to his attorney and WXYZ Detroit.
As part of his sentencing agreement, Leland, 38, will avoid jail time, resign from the DCC and have his federal court case dismissed with prejudice. He is set to be sentenced on June 7.
Leland, who represented Detroit's 7th district, had been indicted by a federal grand jury in 2018 after he was caught on an FBI wire soliciting $15,000 in cash and free repairs on his vehicle from a local business owner.
In court Monday, Leland admitted that he "accepted a campaign contribution in cash," and "knew it was against the law to do so." As a result of his plea agreement, all charges stemming from the 2018 indictment will be dropped.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan weighed in on the situation Monday, and expressed his desire to move on from it for Detroit's benefit.
"The charges against Gabe Leland were a negative cloud hanging over the City of Detroit. With his decision to resign, we can now move forward and focus on the business of rebuilding the city."
In March, Leland announced that he would not be running for re-election to the DCC.
He had served on the Council since his election in 2013. Leland had also previously served as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 2004 to 2010.