Michigan State Police investigate Clayton Township for alleged violation

Michigan State Police investigate Clayton Township for alleged violation
by Laura Angus | Swartz Creek News
Wednesday March 25, 2009, 1:21 PM
CLAYTON TOWNSHIP, Michigan — The Michigan State Police is investigating an alleged Open Meetings Act violation by the Township Board during its March 4 special meeting.

Detective Sgt. Allan Ogg from the State Police's Third District Headquarters in Saginaw said he was contacted by concerned residents about the alleged violation and is investigating the complaint. He visited the Township Hall during the first week of March. The investigation is not complete, he said.

"I'm not saying there was wrongdoing; I'm investigating allegations," he said.

The Open Meetings Act requires that all public bodies meet and make decisions in sessions the public can attend.

The allegations stem from the special meeting where Supervisor Bruce Beatty and Trustees Glenn Huffman, Jennifer Henry and Chuck Shinouskis voted to terminate former police Chief Chuck Melki's contract in a 4-3 vote.

In a previous Swartz Creek News article, former township attorney Steve Iamarino said it was suspicious that the four board members did not discuss the resolution. Michigan courts have struck down "round robin" meetings where less than a quorum — or half the board — meets to reach a decision before an open meeting.

In previous Swartz Creek New articles, Beatty said board members do their homework before meetings, and Henry said she made her decision on her own.

Trustee Glenn Huffman said issues are always discussed before meetings, but decisions are never made. Board members have to investigate issues before they vote.

"I may have talked about it to Jennifer (Henry), but that's as far as it went," he said. "We never made no .... decision as far as I'm concerned."

Melki, Iamarino and former building inspector Ted Henry were suspended in December because their contracts were void, and all three were brought back to their jobs weeks later. Iamarino lost his job Feb. 6, and Henry's contract was terminated at the March 12 meeting.

Ogg said the investigation's results could be turned over to the Genesee County Prosecutor's Office if he finds there was criminal wrongdoing. He would not speculate how long the investigation will take.

The township also is facing another set of allegations. Iamarino said during the public comment portion of the March 12 board meeting that he contacted the state Attorney General's office because items related to ongoing investigations were allegedly missing from the police department after Melki's suspension. He also alleged the department's security cameras were disabled at the time of the theft.

Melki said some items were missing when he returned after his suspension. He declined to comment about the security cameras.

Iamarino directed questions to his attorney, Dean Yeotis, who could not be reached for comment.

Ogg said he was told about the allegations, but is not investigating them.

A representative from the Attorney General's office did not have information regarding either set of allegations.