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January 9, 2006Gee trial set for TuesdayJudge tosses one felony count; 9 still remain
Gee
Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Alan Schneider dismissed one count of embezzlement more than $1,000 and less than $2,000, based on salary overpayments Gee allegedly made to herself. Gee is scheduled to begin trial Tuesday. She's one of three current or former township officials to be charged with a variety of crimes. Former Supervisor Joseph Bartko last month pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor after being charged with four felonies for impropriety in office. Gee's attorney, James Hunt, maintained at her preliminary hearing that those payments were for her attendance at planning commission meetings. Schneider said it appears township board members were not to be paid for the meetings, but he decided against arguing it in court. "It just seems pointless to present that to the jury," he said. "It unnecessarily complicates things." Schneider said including the tenth charge won't affect sentencing if Gee, 60, is convicted. Each felony is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of $10,000. The other nine charges allege Gee transferred township funds into her personal retirement account and used township funds to pay federal income taxes for herself and her daughter, former township assessor Tammi Simerson. Forensic auditors said Gee embezzled $62,000 dating to 1995. Gee, however, is charged with embezzling approximately $29,800 dating back to 2000, due to the statute of limitations. Schneider filed a notice with the court that he intends to introduce evidence of Gee's alleged embezzlement from 1995 to 1999 "to show a lack of mistake and a consistent scheme or plan to consistently and regularly embezzle township funds." Schneider's witness list includes township supervisor Glen Lile and treasurer Debora Watson - who's accused of a misdemeanor for allegedly failing to properly oversee township funds - as well as Michigan Department of Treasury officials, bank officials and the forensic auditor. Schneider's list of evidence includes boxes of bank statements, payroll records, tax forms and "a document that contains (Gee's) handwritten calculations demonstrating (her) deliberate falsification of W-2 forms." Hunt, who has not returned messages from the Record-Eagle, has not indicated he intends to call any witnesses. The trial begins with jury selection at 8:30 a.m. before 13th Circuit Court Judge Philip Rodgers. Hunt asked Rodgers to move the trial out of Grand Traverse County but Rodgers said he'll first try to seat an impartial jury. The trial is scheduled to last three days. In addition to embezzlement charges Gee faces a second trial on four felony charges of official misconduct in office related to her use of township credit cards. She also is being investigated for removing a desk from township offices. Gee maintains the desk is hers, but township officials disagree. Schneider said he won't address either of those issues until after the current trial concludes. See Related Stories: East Bay treasurer faces court hearing - January 6, 2006 Embattled clerk removes desk, triggers burglar alarm - January 4, 2006 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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