metro » New homes now open at Fox Run. Politically Active Lena Epstein is named co-chair of the Trump Michigan Campaign. T rump-Pence campaign has added Bloomfield Hills native Lena Epstein as a co-chair for the Trump Michigan Campaign. Epstein, 35, is a longtime Republican activist, including roles ranging from precinct delegate and fundraiser to chairing the Oakland County Lincoln Day Dinner and serving as a TV and radio politi- Lena Epstein cal pundit. She is also a third-generation co-owner and general manager of Southfield-based Vesco Oil Corporation, a family-owned distributor of automotive and industrial lubricants and supporting services. Vesco Oil is a certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and has more than 200 employees and revenue exceeding $175 million. “I was in the Trump camp from the very beginning because he represents a change from the status quo; an outsider with real business experience and success who is Twin Pines, Fox Run’s newest residence building, off ers stunning new apartment homes that boast modern fi nishes, natural light, and exquisite woodland views. We’re Novi’s premier continuing care retirement community, featuring beautiful maintenance-free apartment homes, convenient services, and exciting amenities—all on a gorgeous 108-acre campus. frank and honest with the American peo- ple,” said Epstein. “I am excited to recruit fellow millenials, the Jewish community and the women of Michigan to demon- strate that their futures and economic prosperity lie with Trump and the GOP.” Epstein also serves on numerous com- munity boards including the Detroit Regional Chamber, the Detroit Historical Society, Temple Beth El of Bloomfield Township, the Jewish Community Center, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Kadima and the Detroit Jewish News Foundation. She also was appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder to the Michigan Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board. Epstein has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. “This is an incredibly exciting time to be an American,” she said, “and I invite all members of our Jewish community to actively engage in this presidential debate.” * DPS Vendor Given 5 Years In Prison Ronelle Grier | Contributing Writer D espite numerous character ref- erences and impassioned pleas for leniency, former Detroit Public Schools vendor Norman Shy was sentenced to five years in prison for his part in a massive kickback scheme where he received $2.7 million for fraudulent invoices submitted through his company, Allstate Sales. According to court records, Shy, who turns 75 in October, paid a total of $908,000 in bribes and kickbacks for goods never provided to the school district in a multi-year ruse involving at least 13 DPS principals and administra- tors. The sentence was handed down by U.S. Eastern District Judge Victoria Roberts on Sept. 6, based on Shy’s pre- vious guilty plea to two felony counts: conspiracy to commit federal program bribery and federal income tax evasion for failing to report income earned dur- ing 2011. Federal prosecutors asked for a sen- tence of 70 to 87 months, according to the terms of Shy’s plea agreement. In a court document, prosecutors stated the money Shy took robbbed “society of numerous future potential doctors, law- yers, scientists, teachers.” Roberts said Shy’s five-year sentence was warranted for his crimes and also as a message to Due to overwhelming demand for active, worry-free retirement living in Novi, only a limited number of select apartment homes remain available. Now is the time to reserve your perfect apartment home at Twin Pines! Don’t wait to learn more! Call 1-800-917-8169 today to request your free brochure. Novi 11626339 EricksonLiving.com 2061800 18 September 15 • 2016 other school officials that corruption will not be tolerated. In a memorandum asking Roberts to reduce Shy’s sentence to no more than 30 to 36 months, Shy’s attorney, Christopher Andreoff, cited Shy’s age, declining health and previous good standing in the community. In addi- tion, Shy submitted a 63-page packet to Roberts including letters and character references from his family, friends and business associates. Among the writers was Rabbi Alter Goldstein of the Ann Arbor Chabad House, who said he had known Shy and his family for 15 years and asked the judge to be merciful, especially in light of the approaching High Holidays when those who repent are granted a second chance. In his own letter, Shy stated he has been living in shame and “anguish” over the pain he has caused his family, the school district and the students. Shy’s sentence includes paying $2.7 million in restitution to DPS and $51,667 in back taxes to the Internal Revenue Service. The other current and former DPS employees involved in the scheme are also facing prison sentences, including former principal and assistant super- intendent Clara Flowers, who was sen- tenced to three years for receiving the largest kickback, $324,785. *