The U.S. is expected to announce the indictment of 17 Detroit cops for stealing money from drug dealers and prostitutes. The joint state-federal investigation has been ongoing for a year.

The investigation took so long because of perceived credibility issues with the victims and the firing of Former Deputy Police Chief Gary Brown, head of the corruptions unit.

Brown was fired May 9 allegedly for investigating accusations of wrongdoing by Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his inner circle.

....Police officials said Wednesday that the indictments all stem from allegations against officers in southwest Detroit, primarily the 3rd (Vernor) and 4th precincts. Brown also said that the cases stem from southwest Detroit.

A 3rd Precinct officer, who also requested anonymity, said Wednesday that at least 20 officers from both precincts testified on the matter before federal grand juries earlier this year.

Last year, three officers from the 5th (Jefferson) Precinct were sentenced in U.S. District Court on similar charges.