The Eastpointe mayor was arraigned Thursday, accused of fraudulently applying for a grant under the CARES Act and receiving $10,000 from money Macomb County got from the federal law.

Monique Owens, 39, is facing one count of false pretenses from $1,000 to less than $20,000, a five-year felony, in 41-B District Court in Clinton Township.

Magistrate Ryan Zemke set her bond at $10,000 but released her on her promise to appear at future proceedings. Further details of the allegations were not available. Her next court date is April 11.

Prosecutors accuse Owens of fraudulently applying for the grant under the federal CARES Act in November 2020. That is the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

The mayor is not a flight risk; bond is set

The county received an allocation of $152 million in late April 2020 through the federal CARES Act and the Coronavirus Relief Fund. The county's planning and economic development allocated a portion of these funds, according to the county's dashboard.

Attorney Scott Weinberg represented Owens and said she waived the reading. Zemke entered a not guilty plea on her behalf. Assistant Prosecutor Kumar Palepu requested the $10,000 personal bond, saying Owens was not a flight risk and had significant ties to the community.

Weinberg said "obviously, it's just an allegation. There's no proof presented that she did anything wrong. However, I would request that she does get a personal bond."

Owens said she was fine with waiving that her preliminary exam be held within the next 21 days.

"Whatever my lawyer says, I'm (OK) with that," she told Zemke.

Owens was elected in 2019 as the city's first black mayor. Her term expires in November.

More:Eastpointe elects first black mayor; selects 2 council members under new voting method

More:Eastpointe residents sue city, say mayor suppressed their comments at meetings

Residents angered at Owens file suit

In November, four city residents sued Owens and the city of Eastpointe in U.S. District Court, alleging she was abusing her power and silencing her critics, even cutting them off during public comment at a September meeting that ended abruptly when the other council members left.

Owens had no comment when contacted by the Free Press previously about that lawsuit.

The situation dated back to June and a dispute between Owens and City Councilman Harvey Curley at the Cruisin' Gratiot car show, of which Curley is the longtime chairman. Curley, then 85, a former mayor of the city, got upset that Owens spoke at the opening ceremonies.

Owens said Curley put his hands in front of her face and cursed at her, causing her to fear for her safety, according to a petition for a personal protection order she filed against him. She also filed a police report. Curley was never arrested or charged, according to the lawsuit. A judge denied Owens' request for a personal protection order.

In December, a federal judge issued an order that during public participation periods at City Council meetings, members of the public may direct and/or express comment, criticism or praise to and regarding public officials, including, but not limited to, remarking about the mayor and council, disputes between the mayor and council members, police matters and matters of public concern.

The order is in effect until final disposition of the litigation or further order of the court.

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com or on Twitter @challreporter.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Eastpointe mayor accused of fraudulently applying for grant