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January 4, 2006Embattled clerk removes desk, triggers burglar alarm
East Bay Township Supervisor Glen Lile stands in the office where Township Clerk Janice Gee removed her belongings over the holiday weekend, including a desk, activating a burglar alarm. Gee set off a burglar alarm in her Monday caper, but she and fellow movers - husband Gaylord Gee and former township supervisor Joseph Bartko - weren't arrested. Gee, 60, goes on trial Tuesday on 14 felony counts of embezzlement and misconduct in office. Bartko, 75, faced four felonies, but recently pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and will be sentenced Jan. 17. Township Supervisor Glen Lile contends the missing desk is township property, but that's disputed by Bartko's attorney, Joseph Fisher. "(Lile) doesn't have all the facts on where it came from, and that is part of the problem," Fisher said. Gee didn't tell township officials she planned to clean out her office. She has a key to the building, but Lile had cut her alarm pass code. After she tripped the alarm, Gee called Treasurer Debora Watson, who faces a misdemeanor for neglect of duty relating to the township's credit card operation, who said she provided Gee the code. "Somebody unlawfully terminated (Gee's) pass code," Watson said. "(Gee) said she was there to get her desk, her plants, and other personal belongings." The sheriff's deputy left and allowed the Gees and Bartko unfettered access to everything in township hall but the vault and Watson's office. Watson said she wasn't concerned, but Lile is, and he filed a complaint with the sheriff's department. "I'm going to find out what we can charge against everyone that's involved with this," he said. Watson said Gee told her Bartko purchased the disputed desk from the Grand Traverse County Republican Party. Gee then bought it from Bartko. She did not know if township funds were used. Fisher said Bartko bought the desk more than 10 years ago, refinished it and lent it to Gee, but Lile believes the desk was marked "federal surplus property" and said he has a receipt of township ownership. "We submitted the report to the prosecutor to have him look at it," said Sheriff Scott Fewins. "We know she has the desk and it is a matter now to determine whether it is hers." See Related Stories: Gee paid $23,000 for doing little work - December 22, 2005 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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