March 19, 2006

Arrest may hurt WDET fundraiser

Michael Coleman, WDET-FM general manager, expects to be vindicated on an embezzlement charge, but he\'s unsure of the impact his arrest will have on the upcoming fundraising drive he says is critical to WDET\'s future. \"I\'m going to do what\'s in the best interest of the station,\" Coleman, 40, who is free on bond, told The Detroit News. \"If I\'m getting in the way, then I\'ll back away and let someone else make that phone call.\" Wayne State University -- which owns and operates WDET -- has stood by Coleman. The criminal charge came as a shock to Coleman, who said he had only one meeting with police -- in February -- until his arrest on Thursday. For an investigation that began in the fall, Coleman questions why he and his two former employees -- Jeremy Nordquist and Justin Ebright -- were arrested now for embezzling, just two weeks before the pledge drive. \"Our challenge will be to convey to our donors that this isn\'t a WDET issue,\" Coleman said. A photo of Coleman is included.

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