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November 22, 2005Breaking NewsEx-supervisor, current treasurer charged in East Bay financial scandalTRAVERSE CITY - East Bay Township's former supervisor and its current treasurer are the latest officials charged with crimes in the township's unfolding financial fiasco.Arrest warrants were issued today for former Supervisor Joseph Bartko and Treasurer Debora Watson. The charges occurred after multiple audits of township financial records uncovered myriad problems with missing money, alleged double-dipping, improper spending and other problems. Bartko, 74, is charged with four felony counts of common law official misconduct in office. Each count carries a possible penalty of up to five years in prison. Authorities accuse Bartko of using township credit cards to make personal purchases. Bartko allegedly allowed township funds to be used for personal benefit; allowed expenditures without authorization; allowed East Bay to be party to an unlawful credit card arrangement; and caused the township to "unlawfully incur debt," according to a complaint filed in 86th District Court. Watson, 45, is charged with a one-year misdemeanor for alleged "willful" neglect of duty as township treasurer to "take charge of money belonging to East Bay. "I didn't neglect my duty, but they have to do something in order to get me down there to talk to them," Watson said from her township office. The charges against Bartko and Watson, both of whom are expected to surrender to authorities Monday at the Grand Traverse County Jail, come on the heels of new charges issued last week against Clerk Janice Gee. Prosecutor Alan Schneider added three charges against Gee, 59, for allegedly embezzling $10,400 during 2000, 2001, and 2002, plus four charges of official misconduct in office. The new charges against Gee were in addition to seven felony counts filed in June that charge Gee with embezzling $19,000 from the township in 2003 and 2004. Gee, who is scheduled for a jury trial in January, faces up to five years in prison on the 14 felonies if convicted. When news happens during the day, the Record-Eagle wants to be the first to tell you about it. Sign up for our Breaking News e-mail alerts and we'll send you a message whenever we post breaking news on our Web site. Sign up now on our Subscribe page. See Related Stories: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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