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The Detroit News reports, a public health network in Detroit that federal prosecutors said was swindled out of at least $18.8 million is overseen by a politically connected board dominated by members with public records showing financial problems, bankruptcy and convictions for drug and alcohol-related crimes.

Davina Hurt, director of government ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics said her experience has shown that due diligence into the personal finances and criminal background of board appointees is "skin deep."

"Due diligence is important, she added. "The standard should not be a spotless past but that they demonstrated the ability to fulfill the responsibilities of oversight and assess conflicts and review documents."

Davina Hurt, director, government ethics, quoted by The Detroit News (paywall), and republished by other markets, including Belleville News-Democrat.