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December 22, 2005Gee paid $23,000 for doing little workShe worked about five hours in past six monthsTRAVERSE CITY - East Bay Township Clerk Janice Gee worked about five hours at township hall the past six months, but taxpayers paid the accused embezzler full-time wages totaling nearly $23,000.On Dec. 30, Gee will have received $22,932 since her June 22 arrest on multiple felony embezzlement counts. She's awaiting a Jan. 10 trial on 14 criminal charges for allegedly siphoning tens of thousands of dollars from East Bay. Gee hasn't appeared at work at all the last few months, township Supervisor Glen Lile said. "Now she just shows up to collect her check. That's all she does anymore," Lile said. Every two-week pay period Gee remains in office costs the township another $1,615. Township taxpayers pick up her health insurance tab and since June contributed $2,522 to her pension. Because a township clerk is also the township's bookkeeper, East Bay had to hire an accountant to take over those duties and another person to keep township board meeting minutes. Gee attended a few board meetings since her arrest but made her last appearance in September. The township board this month removed her from the planning commission but cannot remove Gee from office, nor can it reduce her pay, township attorney Chuck Judson said. Under state law, the governor can remove township officials if satisfied the official "has been guilty of official misconduct, willful neglect of duty, extortion, habitual drunkenness, or has been convicted of being drunk." In October, the township board split 3-3 to ask Gov. Jennifer Granholm to remove Gee after Judson told them Granholm was unlikely to act prior to a criminal conviction. Granholm has never removed a local official from office, nor could her staff find any evidence that former governors John Engler or James Blanchard removed a township official, Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd said. Gee automatically loses her township position if she's convicted of an "infamous crime," based on state law. The Michigan Attorney General has ruled a felony conviction constitutes an "infamous crime" and creates an immediate vacancy in the office. If Gee is not convicted, the decision on removing her from office will fall to voters. Gee and township treasurer Debora Watson are subjects of a recall election set for Feb. 28. If Gee is removed, the township board will appoint a replacement to serve until November's election, Lile said. See Related Stories: Township might not recoup its losses - December 15, 2005 Residents are not as forgiving of Bartko as officials - 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
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