Sigma CCO charged with child molestation

Michael John Brooks, chief compliance officer at Sigma Financial Corp. in Ann Arbor, Mich., is facing child molestation charges. Mr. Brooks was arrested in Amelia Island, Fla. on Nov. 2, according to Dave Egeler, spokesman for Washtenaw County Sheriff's Dept. The arrest occurred after the police searched Mr. Brooks' Ann Arbor Township home, according to The Ann Arbor News. Mr. Brooks, who is charged with four counts of second-degree criminal sexual misconduct, was extradited to Michigan and arraigned on Nov. 15. He was freed on $15,000 bond and is scheduled to appear before a preliminary hearing on Dec. 11. The two accusers allege that Mr. Brooks assaulted them during a 12-year span dating back to 1995 when Mr. Brooks was working as a volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County. "Michael categorically denies the allegations against him," Mr. Brooks' attorney Mark Bilkovic said. "We look forward to exposing these two young men in court." Mr. Brooks was placed on leave of absence as soon as the firm became aware of the charges, according to Larry Atorthy, general counsel for Sigma Financial, from the Farmington Hills, MIch. law firm of Kaufman Payton & Chapa. Mr. Atorthy added that the leave will last until the matter is resolved. If convicted, Mr. Brooks could face up to 15 years in prison. Last month, Mr. Brooks was honored by InvestmentNews as a finalist in the 2007 Community Leadership Awards in the category of mentoring excellence. The original headline of this article misidentified Mr. Brooks as chief information officer of Sigma. He is the chief compliance officer for the firm.