Ex-Detroit Riverfront CEO said he’s ‘remorseful’ & ‘ashamed’ before sentencing

(WXYZ)—FormerDetroitRiverfrontConservancyCFOWilliamSmithsaidheis“extremelyremorseful”and“ashamed”forstealingmorethan$40millionfromthenonprofitovermorethanadecade. ThequotescameinasentencingmemorandumfiledbyhisdefenseattorneysonThursday,aheadofhisschedulesentencingonApril24. Inthefiling,Smith’sattorneystalkedabouthispastandfamily.Smith,52,pleadedguiltytowirefraudandmoneylaunderingandisaccusedofstealingatleast$44.3millionfromtheDetroitRiverfrontConservancyoverthecourseofmorethanadecadebeforebeingcaughtlastyear. AttorneyssaidinaninterviewwithSmith,hesaid“IwantthejudgetoknowthatIamextremelyremorsefulandwanttheopportunitytoworktogetthevictimsasclosetowholeaspossible.IamashamedofwhatI’vedonetothecityandtheprojectthatIlove.ThisbehaviorissomethingthatIwillnevershowagain.MyintentionsaretocontinuetoworktorestorethetrustandrespectofthecommunitythatIlet