Wayne County Executive Warren Evans has a shady past when it comes to helping a family member or loved one financially.
Here's the latest: His daughter, Nikki Studstill, collected $100,000 from his campaign as the campaign finance and political director since 2017, reports WXYZ's Ross Jones, citing campaign records.
Jones notes that Evans is essentially assured re-election, facing no opposition in today's primary. His fall opponent will be one of two unknown Republican candidates.
Nikki Studstill and dad Warren Evans
Hiring a relative for your campaign is legal, but is the latest example of a family member or loved one benefiting during Evans' time in public office.
The broadcaster says:
- While he worked in the prosecutor’s office, Evans made the news when a company he owned with his brother Blair, Evans Solutions, received a county contract. Evans said his shares were in a blind trust and he sold them the following year.
- In 2010, Evans was ousted as Detroit police chief after an internal investigation found that he gave preferential treatment to an officer he was dating.
- In 2017, 7 Action News exposed how Evans’ wife was the only person interviewed for a $70,000 a year county job in the Wayne County Treasurer’s office, despite no previous government experience or even a college degree. She was in line for a promotion but, once our story aired, she quickly resigned.
- The same year, a Grand Rapids construction company where Evans other brother Matthew heads their Detroit office was selected to renovate a longtime county building after county officials sold it.
Evans responds:
In 2014 Nikki Studstill (who is my daughter) led my successful election campaign. In 2016 she signed on again as my finance and political director for my re-election campaign.
We remain fully transparent about her roles. I am fortunate to have a daughter who has been able to devote her time and skills over the last two years to support and maintain the political/campaign responsibilities that come along with running and holding elected office.
I have the utmost respect for what she does and I’m confident in her abilities. She remains the best person for the job based on history and her pay is commensurate with her performance. 2017/2018 Compensation is reflective of the two roles she has been providing my campaign.
