|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
December 15, 2005Residents are not as forgiving of Bartko as officialsTRAVERSE CITY - East Bay Township officials seem more accepting than taxpayers of a plea deal that spared former township supervisor Joseph Bartko a trial on felony charges.Bartko, 75, pleaded guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor for improperly using a township credit card. He's one of three current or former township officials accused of crimes related to a financial scandal in the Grand Traverse County community. Prosecutors dropped four felony charges in exchange for Bartko's plea, a decision that didn't sit well with several residents who attended an East Bay Township board meeting Tuesday evening. "I think it was a dirty rotten shame," said resident Margaret Baker as she left the meeting. "I hate it," echoed resident Matthew Courtade. Even Mary Lutz, who doesn't live in East Bay township, said she was disappointed with county Prosecutor Alan Schneider's decision to allow Bartko to plead to a lesser charge and avoid trial. "They get into office for years and then they abuse their power," Lutz said. Record-Eagle stories detailed Bartko's free-spending ways with a township credit card, based on township documents obtained through the state Freedom of Information Act. He routinely charged the township for meals at area restaurants and spent township money for shopping sprees at a federal surplus warehouse in Cadillac, where he purchased items ranging from a flight suit and underwear to a bayonet and Chapstick. Baker said she doesn't know if jail time was warranted, but said Bartko should have stood trial "like anybody else." "It's a slap on the wrist, an easy way out for him," Baker said. Township supervisor Glen Lile said he trusts Schneider did the best he could do with his case. Trustee Leroy "Butch" Strait agreed, saying he didn't want to "second-guess." Township resident Bob Olson said he understands the prosecutor doesn't have unlimited resources to pursue the tangled East Bay financial abuse cases, but he still doesn't like the result. "It's not what the people here needed or wanted," Olson said. Bartko will be required to pay about $3,000 in restitution to the township for misusing funds, but it's not enough for resident Ann Schaub. "You can't help but be angry," she said. "If that's all he has to pay out of it, I wish there was jail time." Township Clerk Janice Gee awaits trial on 14 felony charges for allegedly embezzling tens of thousands of dollars, and Treasurer Deborah Watson is accused of negligence in office. See Related Stories: Township might not recoup its losses - December 15, 2005 Bartko pleads guilty - December 14, 2005 Audit reveals special assessment district mess - December 11, 2005 Gee will stand trial next month - December 10, 2005 Accountants missed many red flags - December 4, 2005 Other townships pondering changes - December 4, 2005 Bartko hears felony counts - November 29, 2005 Two more face charges in financial scandal - November 23, 2005 News Break: Ex-supervisor, current treasurer charged - November 22, 2005 Records show township paid planner from U.P. - November 13, 2005 Signature goal reached for recalls - November 9, 2005 East Bay Township probe widens - October 27, 2005 Bid for state's assistance in removing Gee falls short - October 12, 2005 East Bay recall petition drive thriving - October 11, 2005 Gee trial delayed as prosecution continues to build case - October 1, 2005 Audit: East Bay Township clerk took $62K - September 28, 2005 Residents demand answers from East Bay board - September 16, 2005 Audit may result in more charges - September 14, 2005 East Bay residents to circulate petitions - September 3, 2005 East Bay finances: 'Little stuff' totals thousands - August 28, 2005 Prosecutor says East Bay probe may widen - August 26, 2005 Former supervisor likely purchased personal items - August 21, 2005 East Bay Township clerk is back to work - August 21, 2005 More money may be missing in East Bay - August 16, 2005 Lile suggests shutting down East Bay government - 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 - June 23, 2005 Township officials pushed for audit leading to Gee's arrest - June 23, 2005
|
|
