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September 16, 2005Residents demand answers from boardEmbezzlement case stirs angry crowd at township meetingByRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - East Bay Township residents are tired of waiting and they want justice - now. Residents packed the township hall Thursday night, demanding answers, restitution, and punishment for every dime allegedly misspent or misappropriated by township clerk Janice Gee and former township supervisor Joseph Bartko. "As a citizen of East Bay Township we have been wronged and we want justice," Valerie Wyman told the board. Auditors and authorities are investigating possible thefts of thousands of dollars from township coffers. Resident Bob Olson said Gee, who has been charged with seven felony counts of embezzlement, will see her day in court, but he also wants the township to pursue the misuse of credit cards and hand-written checks for personal expenses for Gee, Bartko, and others. "If you agree, clap long," he said. The crowd erupted in applause and every member of the audience stood. "I'd like to see (the audit) continue, I'd like to see it uncover everything and I'd like to see them all prosecuted," said resident Sharon Johnson. "I understand the people's frustration over every dime," township supervisor Glen Lile said after the meeting. "But you have to be financially responsible; are you going to spend $10,000 to get a judgment for $1,000." Lile said it will be up to the county prosecutor to pursue what the township audits don't cover. The township board denied residents what they came to the meeting to see: the report of a forensic audit that examined payroll irregularities going back to 1995. After the board discussed the audit in closed session for more than an hour, it voted to first get the consent of the county prosecutor and state department of treasury before allowing township residents to see the report. If consent is granted the report would be released next week. Lile said the report shows the payroll irregularities are "significantly more" than the $19,000 allegedly embezzled by Gee. See Related Stories: 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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