Detroit city official facing $200k tax bill
With former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick in court last week, it's a good time to revisit a fringe player in the city's text-message scandal. Former Deputy Corporation Counsel Brenda Braceful, who according to text messages released in court cattily said a former city official was "full of s---," is actually full of debt, according to public records. Braceful owes more than $198,000 in delinquent state and federal taxes and property taxes.
Braceful, 57, has a checkered history. She lost her law license last year for mishandling thousands of dollars in client's funds yet found another public-sector job working in the city's human resources department. She makes $70,000.
Earlier this year, she surfaced as a bit player in the Kilpatrick scandal. Thanks to our good friend court records, Braceful was caught texting trash with another city official.
Braceful also emerged in September as a player in a secret settlement of a controversial police harassment case.
What's owed:
- The state of Michigan filed a $17,580 lien against Braceful on March 4 in the Wayne County Register of Deeds office.
- The IRS filed a $143,741 lien on Oct. 6, 2006, in Wayne County.
- The IRS filed a $32,590 lien on May 6, 2005, in Wayne County.
- The Wayne County Treasurer filed a certificate of forfeiture -- a first step towards possible foreclosure -- on April 1 in the Wayne County Register of Deeds office. She owes $4,867.17 in delinquent property taxes, interest and fees on her west side home, according to the county's Web site.
Her side:
Braceful did not return a call seeking comment.
