Ficano the horse (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) -
Bob Ficano's former right-hand man insists he did not name a rundown racehorse in honor of the embattled Wayne County executive.
Odd, since both the gelding and the political boss are named Ficano -- a rare name even in Italy.
"It was just coincidence," said Charlie Williams, the former deputy county executive who also moonlights as a thoroughbred horse breeder.
The way Williams tells it -- and the way he explained it to the Jockey's Club, which registered the horse's name in 2009 -- Ficano is an amalgam of the names of its parents.
The sire of Ficano was Giacomo -- winner of the 2005 Kentucky Derby as a 50-1 long shot. The mare was Fenceit. Mash the names together and you get Ficano. At least according to Williams.
"It's not because my former boss was named Ficano," Williams explained. "The name just had a ring to it."
Ficano -- the horse -- was born three years ago on a Fenton farm, but has not amounted to much. As a foal, it was attacked by its mother and carries a scar across the breadth of its neck. Ficano is short, slow-footed and winless in five races.
Ficano the county executive lives in his mother's house, exists on a wheat-free diet and is in the middle of a wide-ranging FBI corruption probe.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-05-17 21:25:50 GMT
Following Minister Louis Farrakhan's message on Friday, Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff hit the streets to scrounge around for some available investment properties, and guess what he found?
Following Minister Louis Farrakhan's message on Friday, Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff hit the streets to scrounge around for some available investment properties, and guess what he found?
Thursday, May 16 2013 7:45 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:45:45 GMT
Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff attended a Detroit City Council meeting. On the agenda, some questions about a developer who is being allowed to take his time paying back a $19-million dollar loan.
On Thursday, Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff attended a Detroit City Council meeting. On the meeting agenda, some questions about a developer with connections to city hall who received a letter that told him he was allowed to take his time paying back a $19-million dollar loan.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 11:16 PM EDT2013-05-16 03:16:04 GMT
Dave Bing might run for Wayne County executive, but a condition is the officer holder must be a county resident. Charlie LeDuff decides to help his old buddy out with a few options on where he can live.
Dave Bing might run for Wayne County executive, but a condition is the officer holder must be a county resident. Charlie LeDuff decides to help his old buddy out with a few options on where he can live.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:06 PM EDT2013-05-14 23:06:18 GMT
It has been six weeks since two Detroit police officers were wounded and a suspect killed during a shootout. Now some questions have arisen and they involve Detroit EMS. Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff reports.
It has been six weeks since two Detroit police officers were wounded and a suspect killed during a shootout. Now some questions have arisen and they involve Detroit EMS. Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff reports.
Wednesday, May 8 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-08 22:25:04 GMT
FOX 2 has confirmed that 101-WRIF Radio morning show hosts "Drew and Mike" will be replaced by Dave and Chuck of the Freak, the former 89X duo. The last 'Drew and Mike" broadcast is scheduled for May
The last WRIF 'Drew and Mike' show will be May 17 after the duo's contract was not renewed. Fox 2's Charlie LeDuff gets an exclusive interview in the parking lot of WRIF studios.
Charlie LeDuff: Off The ChainCharlie LeDuff: Off The ChainMore>>
Friday, May 3 2013 6:10 PM EDT2013-05-03 22:10:10 GMT
LeDuff: Let me offer a short list of things acting Bob Mayor Warfield can accomplish in his few remaining days in office. Things that could cement his legacy as one of Detroit's greats.
LeDuff: Let me offer a short list of things acting Bob Mayor Warfield can accomplish in his few remaining days in office. Things that could cement his legacy as one of Detroit's greats.
Sunday, April 21 2013 9:33 AM EDT2013-04-21 13:33:35 GMT
Coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings has been equally breathless and embarrassing. Spot reports from media outlets who once prided themselves on accuracy and reliability have been little better than Twitter feeds.
Coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings has been equally breathless and embarrassing. Spot reports from media outlets who once prided themselves on accuracy and reliability have been little better than Twitter feeds.
Monday, April 15 2013 7:21 AM EDT2013-04-15 11:21:31 GMT
I went to the dentist Friday morning and got my tooth drilled. My head was numb from the Novocain. I needed a place to hide where nobody would notice. I found it: Detroit city hall!
I went to the dentist Friday morning and got my tooth drilled. My head was numb from the Novocain. I needed a place to hide where nobody would notice. I found it: Detroit city hall!
Friday, April 5 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-04-06 00:43:42 GMT
Unknown to the citizens, the police officers and even the emergency manager himself, Interim Detroit Police Chief Chester Logan was quietly conferred full chieftain status.
Unknown to the citizens, the police officers and even the emergency manager himself, Interim Detroit Police Chief Chester Logan -- as he has been called for the past five months since Chief Ralph Godbee was bounced from office -- was quietly conferred full chieftain status.
Monday, April 1 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-04-01 13:07:47 GMT
Emmett Moten owns the Hotel Fort Shelby in Detroit. He owes $170,000 in back property taxes. He has until Monday at 5 p.m. to pay a portion of the back taxes or face foreclosure.
Emmett Moten owns the Hotel Fort Shelby in Detroit. He owes $170,000 in back property taxes. He has until Monday at 5 p.m. to pay a portion of the back taxes or face foreclosure.
Monday, March 25 2013 9:52 AM EDT2013-03-25 13:52:46 GMT
Imagine Captain Edward Smith of the Titanic summoning his pursers to the wheelhouse after his ill-fated ship struck the iceberg. "Quickly gentlemen!" he shouts. "Rearrange the deck chairs. Perhaps no one will notice!"
Imagine Captain Edward Smith of the Titanic summoning his pursers to the wheelhouse after his ill-fated ship struck the iceberg. "Quickly gentlemen!" he shouts. "Rearrange the deck chairs. Perhaps no one will notice!"
Monday, March 18 2013 10:12 AM EDT2013-03-18 14:12:24 GMT
Many people are concerned about Belle Isle's future. The EFM is promising not to make any hasty decisions and to review the numbers first, but that could be a problem. There is no Belle Isle budget.
Now that Detroit has an emergency financial manager, a lot of people are concerned about the future of Belle Isle. Kevyn Orr is promising not to make any hasty decisions and to look over the numbers first, but that could be a problem. There is no Belle Isle budget.
Tuesday, March 12 2013 2:19 PM EDT2013-03-12 18:19:44 GMT
LeDuff: I don't know if an emergency manager can work in the city of Detroit. If anyone says different, they are lying. But I have to agree with one Detroiter's view, "Anything's better than what we've got right now."
LeDuff: I don't know if an emergency manager can work in the city of Detroit. If anyone says different, they are lying. But I have to agree with one Detroiter's view, "Anything's better than what we've got right now."
Ficano the horse (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
