DETROIT, March 18 (UPI) -- Michigan Republicans want an investigation to learn how a convicted embezzler managed to dupe the state's economic development agency, a lawmaker says.
Richard Short was jailed one day after a ceremony to celebrate his company's receipt of a $9.1 million tax break, the Detroit Free Press reported Thursday.
GOP Rep. Tom McMillin of Rochester Hills says an investigation is needed to find out why the Michigan Economic Development Corp. selected Short's firm without checking his background.
Short has served a number of jail terms for embezzlement and parole violations.
The Michigan Department of Corrections says he currently owes $96,000 in restitution for past crimes.
"This is one we caught," McMillin said. "We've given out hundreds of millions of dollars a year. How many have we given out that haven't been caught?"
Greg Main, president and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corp., says background checks will become standard procedure from now on.
