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January 18, 2006Ex-supervisor sentencedHe must pay fines, make a public apologyTRAVERSE CITY - Former East Bay Supervisor Joseph Bartko must appear at a township meeting within 90 days and publicly apologize for his misconduct in office, a judge ordered.The apology was part of a sentence handed down Tuesday by 86th District Court Judge Michael Haley against Bartko, 75, who last month pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of willful neglect of duty by a public officer. "During my tenure I tried to do my best," Bartko said. "I apologize for not having a (credit card) policy and want the court to know I never knowingly used the credit card for my own benefit." Haley also ordered Bartko to serve a year of probation; perform 720 hours of community service at a rate of 24 hours a week; pay $740 in fines and $3,000 in restitution to the township within 180 days; and make the public apology. Convicted felon and former township Clerk Janice Gee, found guilty by a jury Jan. 12 on nine charges of embezzling from township coffers during Bartko's tenure, appeared in court briefly before Bartko's hearing but did not stay for the sentencing. Bartko was charged in November with four felony counts for alleged financial impropriety in office, while Treasurer Debora Watson faces a misdemeanor count for alleged neglect in office. Investigations by the Record-Eagle based on township documents uncovered Bartko's spending habits, including shopping sprees at a federal surplus warehouse and a long list of meals charged to taxpayers. The plea agreement dismissed four felony counts against Bartko and assured he would not serve jail time. Watson, 45, who is charged with allegedly failing to "take charge" of East Bay money as treasurer, is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 10 for a preliminary examination. Supervisor Glen Lile read a letter before Bartko was sentenced and called his predecessor's attitude "cavalier" and "shocking." Lile asked Haley to make the sentence affect Bartko "as severely as possible." "It is with regret and displeasure that we are not satisfied with the restitution or plea bargain," Lile read. "East Bay Township was never consulted in determining restitution." Haley warned Bartko that "all bets and sentencing agreements are off" if Bartko violates probation. Lile told the court Bartko allowed Gee to get away with activities that caused area taxpayers to have "diminished faith" in elected officials. Gee, 60, who will be sentenced Feb. 3 by 13th Circuit Court Judge Philip Rodgers, faces prison time and restitution. "(Bartko) cultivated an atmosphere in East Bay Township that allowed unlawful expenditures to go undetected and further masked additional activities to which we may never fully realize the full financial damage," said Lile. See Related Stories: Township appoints new clerk - January 18, 2006 No more paychecks for felon Janice Gee - January 13, 2006 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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