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January 13, 2006No more paychecks for felon Janice GeeLile: 'I think she owes us all that money back'TRAVERSE CITY - The first thing East Bay Township Supervisor Glen Lile did the morning after a jury convicted Clerk Janice Gee on nine felony counts was call the township's payroll service and have Gee's paycheck yanked."I said, 'Pull Jan Gee's out of there, she doesn't get a check anymore,'" Lile said. "As for township clerk, we don't have one, but then we haven't had a clerk in so long, nothing's changed." Lile also canceled Gee's medical insurance hours after Wednesday's verdict . Gee, 60, rarely showed up at work after her June 22 arrest for stealing township funds. But because she was an elected official, she continued to draw her $42,000 annual salary. "I think she owes us all that money back," Lile said. He plans to ask the township attorney if Gee can be sued for the approximately $23,000 she was paid since her arrest. A locksmith was the second person on Lile's Thursday morning phone list. "We had all the locks rekeyed today," Lile said. Gee sneaked into the closed township offices on Jan. 2 and removed a desk from the clerk's office, though the desk drawers were gone since they'd been seized earlier by investigators. Both Gee and the township claim ownership of the desk and the incident is under review by the prosecutor's office. That's not the only review she faces. She's also under investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, according to testimony at her trial. And Gee faces another trial Feb. 16 on four felony counts of official misconduct in office, a case tied to her handling of township credit card accounts. Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Alan Schneider said he will ask the court to order Gee to pay $62,000 restitution to the township, the amount she embezzled since 1995. She will be sentenced Feb. 3, and each of the nine felonies is punishable by a $10,000 fine and up to five years in prison. "There will be jail time," Schneider said. "The sentencing guidelines call for a local jail sentence but that will be entirely up to the judge." Gee also faced recall in February, but her name won't appear on the election ballot because her felony conviction automatically cost her the clerk's job. The township board has 45 days to appoint a replacement. Lile said the board will discuss the position in a meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at township hall. Several people have expressed interest in the position, Lile said. The board might decide to appoint someone Monday or may decide to advertise the position. Either way it will be a short-term appointment. Grand Traverse County Clerk Linda Coburn said the term's remaining two years must be filled by voters at the November election. Township Treasurer Debora Watson's name will be the only one on the recall ballot for the Feb. 28 election. If recalled, voters would return to the polls on May 2 to pick her replacement. See Related Stories: Jury finds Gee guilty - January 12, 2006 Forensic accountant testifies against Gee - January 11, 2006 Gee trial set for Tuesday - January 9, 2006 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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