Detroit DDA members face personal financial challenges

Marvin Beatty Austin Black Sonya Delley Charlie Beckham Melvin Hollowell Richard Hosey James Jenkins dda-members
  Marvin Beatty Austin Black Sonya Delley Charlie Beckham Melvin Hollowell Richard Hosey James Jenkins  

By ROBERT SNELL / THE DETROIT NEWS
Published Dec. 15, 2016

The Downtown Development Authority board spending $250 million in taxes on the new Detroit Red Wings hockey arena is dominated by members with a history of personal tax debts, bankruptcies and criminal convictions, according to public records.

An analysis of state and federal court records, tax filings, court filings and interviews raise questions about the ability of some DDA members to oversee the largest publicly subsidized downtown construction project since Detroit emerged from bankruptcy. The analysis also reveals a shortcoming of Detroit’s appointment process, which did not require DDA members to undergo criminal or financial background checks.

LEARN MORE: Explore our collection of financial events and supporting documents related to seven DDA board members. Click on a name above to learn more.