They also point out that his photo was on an early FBI “most wanted” list, but was later removed. Promoters of the claim focused on several videos of Epps encouraging people to attack the Capitol. That hasn’t stopped Fox personalities and GOP lawmakers from pushing the idea that Epps was a central player in the FBI’s supposed false-flag operation. The theory about Epps is based on circumstantial speculation and little – if any – concrete evidence. The committee aide said the allegations that Epps is an FBI informant are “unsupported claims.” The Justice Department and FBI haven’t commented. Their claims about Epps have been panned by fact-checkers.Įpps hasn’t spoken out about the situation. Republican lawmakers and pro-Trump outlets have zeroed in on Epps to bolster their broader conspiracy theory that the FBI was responsible for the violence on January 6. While Epps’ denial is unlikely to sway diehard conspiracy theorists, it carries some heft because it came in an interview with congressional investigators, where lying would be a federal crime. Epps informed us that he was not employed by, working with, or acting at the direction of any law enforcement agency on January 5th or 6th or at any other time, and that he has never been an informant for the FBI or any other law enforcement agency.” Epps,” a spokesperson for the committee told CNN in a statement on Tuesday after the hearing. “The Select Committee has interviewed Mr. Two GOP senators referred to Epps while questioning a top FBI official about whether FBI agents infiltrated or incited the pro-Trump mob. The aide provided details about the man, Ray Epps, and his cooperation with the panel, after his name came up at a Senate hearing on Tuesday. The informant still has not been named.The Arizona man that some right-wing figures baselessly claim was part of secret FBI plot to orchestrate the January 6 insurrection told the House panel investigating the attack that he has no ties to the FBI or law enforcement, a committee aide told CNN. It’s unlikely Duggan’s actions broke any laws, but there are ethical concerns over whether the mayor’s discussions risked the safety of the informant. Leland resigned after he admitted to accepting $7,500 in cash campaign contributions by Robert Carmack, who was the government’s primary witness in a related federal corruption case. Benson remains on the council Ayers was voted out last November. Former councilman Gabe Leland, who was indicted on charges of bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery in 2018, is serving probation after pleading guilty to state charges of misconduct in office. When I learn of a crime, I believe it’s my responsibility to act and I did exactly what I should have done.”Īs part of the broader federal corruption investigation, city councilmembers - and Duggan allies - Janee Ayers and Scott Benson both had their offices raided. “The suggestion in today’s Detroit News is that the mayor of the city should be told about bribery and a dishonest tower and not say anything, I don’t believe that,” Duggan says. I did not know there was any confidential source involved in this case.”ĭuggan denied intentionally naming the informant. “I have never disclosed the identity of anyone I ever knew to be a confidential source in my life,” Duggan says. Spivey was sentenced to two years in prison earlier this year.ĭuggan says he did not know the source was an informant when he shared his name with several people. The informant is a towing contractor who secretly recorded Spivey taking a bribe. “And as I say, to this day, no one from any federal agency has reached out to me and suggested they had any problem with anything I did.” “I was told by a councilman about information and I acted on it properly and appropriately, going to the law department, going to the police department and then removing this no-bid permit process from the city,” Duggan says. When I learn of a crime, I believe it’s my responsibility to act and I did exactly what I should have done.” -Mayor Mike DugganĪddressing the issue Tuesday at the Mackinac Policy Conference, Duggan says he did nothing wrong.
Spivey pleaded guilty to corruption charges and was sentenced to two years in prison earlier this year. Spivey was recorded by the informant taking a bribe.
The information came to light following an investigation by Detroit News reporter Robert Snell. There’s a new wrinkle to the federal corruption probe involving towing contracts, bribery and Detroit City Hall.įormer City Councilman Andre Spivey told Mike Duggan about the federal investigation and his impending indictment, and he gave him the name of a confidential FBI informant.
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