Last week, a federal judge sentenced the former Chief Financial Officer of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, William Smith, to 19 years in prison for embezzling $44 million from the nonprofit over 12 years. 

The Riverfront Conservancy is a pretty prominent organization, responsible for all the changes along Detroit’s Riverwalk. So how did one man manage to dodge accountability? 

Investigative reporter Violet Ikonomova has been covering the story for the Detroit Free Press. She joined The Metro on Wednesday to provide insight into the case. Journalist, author and long-time Detroit Free Press columnist John Gallagher also joined the conversation.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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