Claim employee used funds to buy T-shirts

DETROIT, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- A former Detroit-area sheriff's employee is facing charges of using public funds to buy T-Shirts to advertise the sheriff's name.

Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox said Thursday Ralph Kinney, the former deputy chief of staff for then-Wayne County Sheriff Robert Ficano, will face two felony counts as a result of his purchase using more than $1,700 in public funds to buy "Team Ficano" T-shirts, which were then worn at a political event.

Kinney is accused of embezzlement and misconduct, and if convicted could face as much as 15 years in prison and $15,000 in fines.

Kinney currently works as a deputy director for Ficano, who is the Wayne County executive. Cox said the investigation found no wrongdoing by Ficano.