After a lengthy legal battle between the city of Detroit and Robert Carmack, a judge has ruled in favor of the city. The dispute revolved around a piece of property that Carmack claimed to own. Carmack, a collision shop owner known for his frequent attendance at Detroit City Council meetings and public feuds with Mayor Mike Duggan, sold the property he did not own to Moby Dick Ventures LLC for $1 million in 2016. However, felony charges related to this sale were later dismissed.

Wayne County Circuit Judge Leslie Kim Smith ordered Carmack to pay $1 million to Moby Dick Ventures and declared that the property would be returned to the city. Detroit Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallett stated that the ruling confirmed that Carmack had attempted to steal property from the city and then sold property that he did not legally own.

The city claimed that it would have transferred the property in question in exchange for $250,000, but the transaction never took place because Carmack never paid for it. The lawsuit stated that the deed Carmack received was “inoperative” because he never fulfilled the payment requirement.

Carmack argued that he received the deed from the city and believed that he legally owned the property. However, Judge Smith described Carmack’s actions as fraudulent and rejected his claim of ownership.

Following the ruling, Carmack expressed his frustration, accusing the court system and the city of trying to destroy his life. Mayor Mike Duggan could not be reached for comment.

Detroit Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallett expressed relief at the court’s decision and stated that the city can now proceed with offering the property for sale.

Sources:
– Detroit Free Press – “Court rules Robert Carmack must pay $1 million, property goes back to Detroit” by Dana Afana