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October 1, 2005Gee trial delayed as prosecution continues to build caseAuthorities preparing to file more chargesByRecord-Eagle staff writer  Gee's case was scheduled for a final conference Friday - the last court hearing before a trial that was to have started Oct. 18 - but the final conference was adjourned for eight weeks. "We definitely, from what we have so far, intend to file additional charges," Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Alan Schneider told 13th Circuit Court Judge Philip Rodgers Jr. Gee, 59, faces seven felony counts of embezzlement and up to five years in prison if convicted. Schneider said he might charge Gee under an old law that makes embezzlement by public officials a 10-year felony. Gee's attorney, James Hunt, told Rodgers he also wanted to adjourn the trial so additional charges could be consolidated into one case. "The initial investigation was a specific period of time, and now they've expanded it," Hunt said. Investigators dug back a decade into East Bay Township's books looking for financial irregularities that could be tied to Gee. Forensic auditors allege Gee embezzled $62,055 through payroll manipulations since 1995. Township records only go back to that year. Schneider said he received the most recent report from Plante & Moran PLLC after Aug. 31. Schneider added county sheriff's detective Todd Heller, who is leading the criminal investigation, has had to investigate unrelated cases, contributing to the delay. Rodgers granted the adjournment, but he told lawyers they should resolve the case as soon as possible. There is "interest in the public in getting it resolved, one way or another," Rodgers said. He said the eight-week delay of the final conference will delay the trial at least three months. See Related Stories: Audit: East Bay Township clerk took $62K - September 28, 2005 Residents demand answers from East Bay board - September 16, 2005 Audit of East Bay finances 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 East Bay 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 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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