West Bloomfield Treasurer's Husband May Take Legal Action Over Report

The husband of West Bloomfield Township treasurer Teri Weingarden could barely contain his anger as he testified before trustees voted Monday to seek her removal from office. 

Howard Weingarden read a statement that included the threat of legal action over an allegation in a report filed by attorney Christopher Johnson that suggested Teri Weingarden received free theater tickets from a sales representative for an investment firm. Johnson had earlier agreed to amend the report, after Teri Weingarden provided a receipt for the tickets that showed full payment. 

"I have been sickened by the events undertaken by the majority of this board, with (township clerk) Ms. (Catherine) Shaughnessy as the ringleader," Howard Weingarden said. "This is a lynching, pure and simple. These actions are despicable."

As an attorney, Howard Weingarden said, "reputation is everything to me" and he is exploring legal actions regarding the statement about the tickets. When supervisor Michele Economou Ureste told him the two-minute time limit had passed, he demanded additional time, but yielded the floor after a request from Teri Weingarden. 

Other comments reflected mixed emotions in the community, from residents demanding the treasurer's resignation to those who expressed support for her and dismay at the political divide on the board. 

After the vote directing Johnson to draft a petition to Gov. Rick Snyder asking for the treasurer's removal, Teri Weingarden asked the township to assign an attorney to advise her, since consulting with the township attorneys would present a conflict of interest. Officials agreed to get a legal opinion about whether the township is required to do so and discuss the item at a future meeting. 

Watch the meeting on Civic Center TV's website.