Kay Everett, 63 - Detroit councilwoman
Kathi
POSTED: 6:10 pm EST November 25, 2004
DETROIT -- Veteran Detroit City Council member Kay Everett, whose
colorful hats reflected her feisty approach to public service, died
Thursday of complications of diabetes, her spokesman said. She was 63.
Everett died about 4 p.m. at Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit, Sam
Riddle said.
The Detroit native was facing federal extortion, bribery, fraud and
income tax charges on accusations that she took more than $150,000
from a contractor doing business with the city.
The 27-count indictment announced Oct. 21 said Everett demanded and
accepted the payments from 1997-2002. The charges carry a maximum
penalty of 20 years in prison.
Everett was free on a personal bond.
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/3950261/detail.html
Council Member Kay Everett was elected to the Detroit City Council as
the result of a special election held on June 4, 1991. Her
assertiveness and independence attracted voters hungry for a change
the way city government was run. Since then, her leadership qualities
are evident as she constantly prods her fellow council members to seek
answers before acting.
She was re-elected in November 1993 for a full term. This has afforded
her the opportunity to work with a new council and a new
administration.
The daughter of a bricklayer, Kay Everett is a native Detroiter and a
mother of three children. A graduate of Cass Technical High School and
Wayne State University, Mrs. Everett taught for ten years in the
Detroit Public School System before winning a seat on the Detroit
School Board in 1986. After her re-election to the board in 1990, she
served as vice president. During her tenure on the board, she led the
way to reform and gained the reputation as an independent thinker. Her
activism sparked the community's desire for change, which led to the
election of other reformers on the board. Upon her election to City
Council, she resigned her position on the School Board in July 1991.
Her community activism extends to the following organizations: Life
membership in the NAACP, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Jnc., Links,
Inc., and the Association of Black School Educators. In addition, she
is a member of the Detroit Economic Club, the Detroit Yacht Club, the
Coleman A. Young Memorial Commission, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Committee, and the Women in Municipal Government Advisory Council. She
also formerly served as board member of the University District
Association, and as a member of Homes for Black Children. She is a
member of the Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God In Christ.
In April 1999, Mrs. Everett was appointed to the Transitional Team for
the Detroit Board of Education. Mrs. Everett also implemented the
Emergency Services Task Force (911), assisted with the illegal Dumping
Ordinance, reinstituted the Keep Detroit Beautiful Task Force
initiated by the late Coleman A.Young, and is a candidate for the
Detroit Regional Chamber Leadership Detroit LDXXIII.
http://www3.ci.detroit.mi.us/legislative/CityCouncil/Members/Everett/everett_content_frame.htm
Detroit city council member Kay Everett indicted on fraud charges
Thursday, October 21, 2004
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A federal grand jury on Thursday indicted City Councilwoman Kay
Everett on 27 counts, including wire fraud, extortion and bribery.
The indictment accuses Everett of demanding and accepting more than
$150,000 in payments from a city contractor between 1997 and 2002,
U.S. Attorney Craig Morford said.
Everett failed to disclose her financial relationship with the
contractor, despite repeatedly voting to give city business to the
person's companies, the indictment says.
It also contends she failed to report the income she received from the
contractor on her tax returns and made false statements to FBI agents.
A statement from Morford's office did not name the contractor, and a
spokeswoman did not immediately return a call.
The Everett indictment shows "the seriousness with which my office,
the FBI and the IRS view allegations of corruption by public officials
as well as our strong commitment to investigating and prosecuting
these types of cases," Morford said.
Everett's attorney, James C. Thomas, did not immediately return a call
Thursday.
http://www.freep.com/news/latestnews/pm886_20041021.htm