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November 23, 2005Two more face chargesEx-supervisor, current treasurer are accused
Bartko
Watson
But he had no idea his victory in a race for township supervisor would lead to criminal charges against three township officials. Ex-Supervisor Joseph Bartko, whom Lile defeated in the August 2004 primary, was charged Tuesday with four felony counts for alleged financial impropriety in office, while current Treasurer Debora Watson was charged with a misdemeanor for alleged neglect in office. Bartko and Watson join township Clerk Janice Gee, who's awaiting trial on 14 felony counts, as central figures in a financial scandal in the Grand Traverse County community. "When we came to meetings and couldn't get answers it was a red flag, but I had no idea any of this stuff was going on," Lile said of the pre-2004 election days when officials wouldn't - or couldn't - respond to queries about the township budget and spending . Criminal charges against the three occurred after multiple audits of township financial records uncovered myriad concerns about missing money, alleged double-dipping, improper spending and other problems. "I'm hoping when the people are found guilty they force them to pay back everything ," Lile said. "It shouldn't be on the backs of the taxpayers." 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. Record-Eagle articles based on township documents detailed Bartko's spending habits, including shopping sprees at a federal surplus warehouse and a long list of meals charged to taxpayers. Gee faces similar charges. "The only distinction is his use of the credit card for meals that were not related to business travel were much more prolific than Jan Gee," said county Prosecutor Alan Schneider. 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. Schneider alleged Bartko continued to make purchases of federal surplus items for personal use after state officials told him to stop. "I don't have any evidence of reimbursement, but you're not supposed to use township funds for personal use to begin with," he said. Bartko's attorney, Joseph Fisher, said he hasn't seen the police report and called charges "rather vague." "The charges are unfortunate, but we'll deal with it and we look forward to an acquittal on all charges," he said. 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. However, Schneider said "evidence shows" that Watson was negligent in her duties. "I've not been trying to talk to her," he said. Gee's daughter, former township assessor Tammi Simerson, will not be charged, Schneider said. Simerson had been named as a target of the investigation and benefited from Gee's alleged embezzlement. "At this point, I've found no evidence that she had any criminal knowledge that she might have been receiving embezzled or converted funds," Schneider said. The charges against Bartko and Watson, both of whom are expected to surrender to authorities Nov. 28 at the Grand Traverse County Jail, come on the heels of new charges issued last week against Gee. 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. Those counts came on top of seven felony counts filed in June that charged Gee with embezzling $19,000 from the township in 2003 and 2004. "As far as criminal charges, I've done what I can," Schneider said. "But I am going to make every effort to assist East Bay in recouping some money, even if criminal charges aren't involved, particularly against Tammi Simerson." See Related Stories: Breaking News: 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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