Politics & Government
Township Officials Vote to Request Treasurer's Removal
West Bloomfield trustees on Monday directed attorney Christopher Johnson to prepare a petition asking Governor Rick Snyder to remove Teri Weingarden from office.
The 5-2 vote, with Weingarden and trustee Steve Kaplan dissenting, authorizes the law firm of Johnson Rosati Schultz Joppich to draft the petition, which officials would review and send to Gov. Rick Snyder. Snyder is authorized by the state constitution to remove an elected township official for misconduct or willful neglect of duty.
Trustees in July asked attorneys to investigate concerns over bank documents; they later expanded the scope of the investigation to include "irregularities" in the treasurer's office. Weingarden has repeatedly and vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
Her side of the story was not included in Christopher Johnson's report, which was presented Monday. Weingarden said she was also not notified when the report was turned in to the township clerk's office.
"I found out about this report from the press," she said, calling it "malicious" and "a one-sided political witch hunt".
While Weingarden, Kaplan and some members of the public felt the report did not uncover activities that rose to the standard of "gross neglect" or "willful neglect" of duty, the majority of trustees said a pattern of incidents led them to conclude the action is necessary.
Johnson in his report cited an improper investment, wire transfer errors and changes in cash management procedures that left scores of cash transactions undocumented, among other issues.
Trustee Larry Brown said he has seen numerous problems with Weingarden's performance during his five years on the board.
"This is not a personal attack," he said. "With all of these problems that have gone on over the years, I have really lost confidence in the ability of the treasurer to perform her duties."
Supervisor Michele Economou Ureste hinted at other problems beyond those included in the report and suggested Weingarden think about stepping down.
"We must consider what is in the best interest of the township," Ureste said. "In my opinion, the treasurer might consider this is not the right position for her."
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After responding to individual charges contained in the report, Weingarden said conflicts among herself, Ureste and clerk Catherine Shaughnessy have led to a breakdown of leadership at Town Hall. She described a "mass exodus" of employees, with "most of them" taking pay cuts to work elsewhere because of the work environment.
"What I think is, in order for us to move forward, all three of us have to acknowledge there is a lack of leadership in this township," Weingarden said, adding officials need to "stop bringing politics into day-to-day operations."
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