Tony Saunders II, the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Wayne County, Michigan, has been sentenced to six months in jail for assaulting his wife, Tatiana Grant.

Once hailed as a financial prodigy who helped Wayne County avoid bankruptcy, Saunders’ reputation has been tarnished by a series of domestic violence incidents that led to his arrest, conviction, and sentencing.

Who Is Tony Saunders?

Tony Saunders II, a Detroit native, rose to prominence as a financial expert known for his role in stabilizing Wayne County’s finances.

Appointed as Wayne County’s Chief Restructuring Officer and CFO in January 2015 at the age of 28, Saunders was credited with eliminating over $1 billion in liabilities and helping the county achieve an $88 million surplus by 2017.

His work earned praise from Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, who said, “We don’t get where we are today in Wayne County without Tony Saunders.”

After resigning from his full-time county position in 2017, Saunders founded his own turnaround and private equity firms, including Dent Advisors and Invictus Equity Group.

He continued to work as a contractor for Wayne County, earning a lucrative $425,000 contract over 17 months to assist with financial management.

But his career has been overshadowed by serious legal troubles stemming from domestic violence charges.

Arrests, Conviction, and Sentencing

Saunders’ legal troubles began with two arrests in 2024 for assaulting his wife, Tatiana Grant:

• January 10, 2024: Saunders was arrested by Detroit Police after a violent incident at their home on the Detroit River.
  • Tatiana Grant reported that Saunders punched her repeatedly and slammed her head.
  • He also threatened to kill her, her daughter, and himself, and took her phone to prevent her from calling for help during an argument over one of her previous relationships.
• June 23, 2024: Saunders was arrested again in Troy, Michigan, after another assault on Grant.
  • According to court documents, Saunders, under the influence of alcohol, became enraged after Grant accused him of cheating and neglecting his mental health medication.
  • He attacked her, punching her. When Tatiana Grant prevented him from accessing knives, Saunders grabbed metal tongs, threatening to harm himself.
• Conviction: On June 13, 2025, Saunders pleaded no contest in Oakland County Circuit Court to a felony charge of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence, second offense.
  • A no-contest plea is treated as a guilty plea in criminal court but does not admit guilt in potential civil lawsuits.
• Sentencing: On July 23, 2025, Saunders was sentenced to six months in jail for the June 2024 assault in Troy, Michigan.
  • Additionally, for the January 2024 incident in Detroit, he was sentenced on November 26, 2024, by 36th District Court Judge Lynise Bryant to two years of probation, 80 hours of community service, and mandatory counseling.

Saunders was convicted for two separate incidents of domestic violence against his wife, Tatiana Grant:

1. January 2024 Incident (Detroit): During an argument, Saunders physically assaulted Grant. This led to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge.
2. June 2024 Incident (Troy): Saunders attacked Grant again, this time under the influence of alcohol. This incident resulted in felony assault charges due to its severity and Saunders’ prior domestic violence history.

Tatiana Grant, who has since divorced Saunders, reported nearly two dozen incidents of physical assault over time, leaving her with permanent scars on her face and body. She obtained a personal protection order against him in June 2024 and filed for divorce in May 2024.

Court records and Grant’s statements suggest that Saunders’ actions were influenced by a combination of factors, including alcohol use and untreated mental health issues.

In the June 2024 incident, Grant noted that Saunders appeared intoxicated and was not taking prescribed mental health medication, which may have contributed to his violent outbursts.

Additionally, a prior domestic violence incident from 2004, referenced in court documents, indicates a pattern of behavior that escalated over time.

Where Did These Incidents Occur?

The assaults took place in two locations:

• Detroit, Michigan: The January 2024 incident occurred at the couple’s home on the Detroit River.
• Troy, Michigan: The June 2024 incident happened at Grant’s apartment, where Saunders was staying after borrowing her car.

Who Is the Victim?

The victim, Tatiana Grant, is Saunders’ estranged wife. She has courageously spoken out about her experiences to raise awareness about domestic violence, allowing her identity to be shared publicly.

Grant described a pattern of abuse, stating, “For far too long, Mr. Saunders inflicted harm without consequence. Today, he is finally being held accountable for his pattern of abuse against women. I sincerely hope that his upcoming sentence, beyond incarceration, is inclusive of mental health treatment.”

Grant’s young daughter was also indirectly affected, as she was present in the home during the January 2024 assault and witnessed parts of the incident.

Controversies Surrounding Tony Saunders

Beyond the domestic violence charges, Saunders has faced scrutiny for other issues during his tenure with Wayne County:

• Conflict of Interest Allegations: While serving as CFO, Saunders launched a private turnaround firm, Dent Advisors, in November 2015, working with clients in Tennessee and Maryland without initially disclosing this to Wayne County officials.
  • This raised concerns about conflicts of interest, as he was earning a full-time county salary of $158,000 while operating his private business.
• Work with Rock Ventures: In 2018, Saunders worked for both Wayne County and Dan Gilbert’s Rock Ventures during negotiations for a $533 million jail project, prompting accusations of unethical dual roles. Commissioners were unaware of his involvement with Rock Ventures, and he only filed a disclosure after media inquiries.
• Lucrative County Contract: After resigning as CFO, Saunders secured a $425,000 contract to assist Wayne County with financial management.
  • The contract exceeded the approved $100,000 limit, violating county rules, and was terminated after his domestic violence charges came to light in February 2024.

Additional Important Information

• Prior Domestic Violence History: Saunders was convicted of domestic violence in 2004, which increased the severity of his 2024 charges. This earlier incident was not detailed in Michigan court records but was referenced by prosecutors.
• Mental Health and Treatment: Saunders’ attorney, Gerald Gleeson, stated that Saunders feels remorse and is committed to recovery, including mental health treatment. Saunders has been volunteering at Mariners Inn, a treatment center for addicts and homeless individuals in Detroit.
• Impact on Wayne County: Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, once a strong supporter, was reportedly upset to learn about Saunders’ charges through media reports rather than directly from Saunders. The county terminated his consulting contract shortly after the allegations surfaced.
• Victim’s Advocacy: Tatiana Grant has used her experience to advocate for domestic violence awareness, emphasizing the need for accountability and mental health support for abusers. Her decision to speak publicly highlights the broader societal issue of domestic violence.

Tony Saunders’ fall from a respected financial expert to a convicted abuser highlights the serious consequences of domestic violence.

His six-month jail sentence, combined with probation and counseling, reflects the court’s attempt to balance punishment with rehabilitation.

Tatiana Grant’s bravery in sharing her story has brought attention to the issue, ensuring that Saunders’ actions face public scrutiny.

For more information on domestic violence resources visit michigan.gov/crimevictims/hotline or contact local support services.