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August 16, 2005More money may be missing in East BayFinal figures not yet released by authoritiesByRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - East Bay Township taxpayers are missing more money than initially believed, but authorities are saying little about the extent of alleged embezzlement. The revelation came during testimony in a preliminary hearing for East Bay Township Clerk Janice L. Gee, 59, who faces seven felony charges of embezzlement of more than $1,000 but less than $20,000. Gee was bound over to circuit court to stand trial in on all seven charges Monday. District Judge Michael Haley said he found Monday's testimony "adequate support" for each of the charges. Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Alan Schneider asked his only witness, forensic auditor Michelle McHale-Adams, if her ongoing investigations determined the amount of money taken in 2003 changed from the original amount outlined in one of the charges against Gee. McHale-Adams testified she would be adjusting "up" Gee's alleged $2,300 overpayment to herself. Afterward, Schneider declined to say how much money authorities believe was taken or if more charges are forthcoming until he receives a final written report from McHale-Adams and her team of auditors from Plante & Moran. "You'll know soon enough," Schneider said. Gee allegedly siphoned $19,356 from the township by overpaying herself, depositing township money into her personal retirement account, and paying her and her daughter's federal income tax with township money. Defense attorney James Hunt asked McHale-Adams about alternative theories on the cause of the cash discrepancies. She said accounting and payroll programs were on Gee's computer alone and password-protected. There also were no mistakes regarding other contributions to township retirement accounts. She did find three other payroll discrepancies, but the amounts were so minor auditors didn't pursue it, she said. Gee, township clerk since 1992, faces a maximum of five years in prison and restitution if convicted. Gee's daughter, township assessor Tammi Simerson, resigned her position effective Aug. 12, "due to the hostile working environment and lack of belief in my ability," she said in a letter to the board. Simerson also said it wasn't fair to taxpayers to continue to pay her a salary when she's not working. Township officials suspended Simerson with pay since her mother's arrest in June. Simerson has not been charged with a crime. See Related Stories: Lile suggests shutting down East Bay government to fix mess - July 22, 2005 East Bay Township supervisor expects 'real ugly' meeting - July 22, 2005 East Bay assessor to be paid as fate is determined - July 12, 2005 Errors pile up in review of East Bay records - July 10, 2005 Public backs East Bay probe leading to arrest of clerk - June 28, 2005 East Bay Township clerk charged with embezzlement felonies - June 23, 2005 Township officials pushed for audit leading to Gee's arrest - June 23, 2005
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