IRS Contractor Accused of Elevator Urination

A contractor for the IRS has been charged with repeatedly urinating in a freight elevator in the IRS’s office building in Detroit, causing an unpleasant aroma.

Detroit resident Michael Hicks, 55, was charged with malicious mischief and damaging government property. He faces up to 10 years in prison, according to the Detroit Free Press.

According to an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court, the IRS had to pay $4,626.25 in "deep cleaning" expenses to mop up after Hicks. The IRS began investigating the culprit behind the repeated peeing incidents on Aug. 16, 2007, after the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration received a complaint. TIGTA investigators installed a surveillance camera in the elevator to capture the malodorous malefactor and filmed images of Hicks relieving himself on several occasions. He ultimately confessed to his crimes during an interview in January 2008, but did not provide a satisfactory explanation.

“Hicks denied having any medical conditions that would cause him to commit such an offense,” TIGTA Special Agent Delmaria Scott said in the affidavit. “He stated that he did it because he felt he could get away with it.”

Prosecutors said they were unsuccessful at resolving the problem with Hicks and ultimately filed criminal charges against him.

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