For Information Contact
Gina Balaya - (313) 226-9758
For Immediate Release
Clifton Divers, 49, former agent with Immigration and Customs of the Department of Homeland Security was sentenced today to 36 months after having pleaded guilty today to charges of bribery and conspiracy to defraud the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider.
According to court records, Divers was a Special Agent with the Detroit office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations. Divers admitted to conspiring with attorney Charles Busse to impair, obstruct, and defeat the lawful function of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security by dishonest means. Divers also admitted to accepting a thing of value in return for acting in violation of his official duties as a law enforcement agent. The crimes are alleged to have occurred between 2013 and 2015.
“No one is above the law, particularly law enforcement officers in whom we place our trust to maintain the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and professionalism. Citizens have the right to expect nothing less. This office will ensure that entrusted to uphold these important tenets of our system of justice for their own personal gain will face sure and swift punishment for their misdeeds,” stated United States Attorney Matthew Schneider. “I commend the dedication and commitment of the agencies involved in conducting a comprehensive criminal investigation into corruption activities that targeted the federal immigration system.”
DHS-OIG Special Agent in Charge John Tiano stated, “Let this sentence stand as an example that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG), is relentlessly committed to eliminating corruption within the department. The DHS OIG will never allow corrupt greed driven individuals to work alongside the proud honest men and women of this department, who risk their lives every day to protect our national security and keep this country safe.”
ICE Office of Professional Responsibility Special Agent in Charge, Keith Barwick stated, “Clifton Divers committed an egregious breach of the trust placed in DHS employees by the American people. While his actions are atypical of the dedication and integrity demonstrated by the vast majority of DHS employees, this sentence should send a message about the serious consequences facing those who exploit their positions and violate the law. The ICE Office of Professional Responsibility and the DHS Office of Inspector General will continue to aggressively investigate corruption and seek to prosecute perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law."
William J. Hannah, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General’s Chicago Field Office. “The foundation of law enforcement is the integrity of its officers. Agents who fail to uphold those values, like Clifton Divers, will be held accountable for their actions,” said
Federal Bureau of Investigations Special Agent in Charge Timothy R. Slater, stated:
The investigation was conducted by the Office of Inspector General of the U.S Department of Homeland Security, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General and Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Office of Professional Responsibility. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison, and former Assistant United States Attorney, Bruce C. Judge.
Contact: Gina Balaya - (313) 226-9758
www.justice.gov/usao/mie/index.html