DETROIT (AP) - Wayne County's treasurer has apologized after his relatives bought Detroit-area tax-foreclosed real estate in violation of his own office's rules. The Detroit Free Press reports Treasurer Eric Sabree's relatives also didn't pay tens of thousands of dollars in property taxes until they were delinquent. The newspaper says the transactions involved Sabree's wife, two sons and a nephew. As the elected treasurer, Sabree is responsible for collecting delinquent property taxes. He has the authority to foreclose on owners who don't pay their taxes and then sell properties at auction. Sabree said his wife spent $58,000 to pay off three years of late taxes on more than a dozen properties. Sabree says he regrets not telling his family members to "stay out of it." He says his relatives didn't get special treatment. --- Information from: Detroit Free Press, http://www.freep.com