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January 27, 2006Judge orders Gee to return retirement benefitsShe was convictedof embezzling public fundsTRAVERSE CITY - A judge ordered convicted felon Janice Gee to forfeit any retirement benefits earned while the former East Bay Township clerk embezzled public funds.Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Alan Schneider filed the motion last week under the state's Public Employee Retirement Forfeiture Act. Thirteenth Circuit Court Judge Philip Rodgers approved the request. A jury convicted Gee, 60, this month on nine counts of embezzlement after she stole approximately $62,000 since 1995, most of which she funneled into a deferred compensation account. Rodgers ruled that because Gee was convicted of a felony while serving as a public employee, she must forfeit the portion of her retirement benefits earned since 2000, the first year of embezzlement for which she was convicted. Schneider said East Bay officials are working with the township's pension provider on a total amount. "Right now we don't have a good figure on it because it is a defined benefit plan," said Schneider. "They first have to put a present value on her pension and then there will be some discussion and debate as to how much will be forfeited." Schneider said that in addition to Gee forfeiting part of her retirement funds, the deferred compensation account will be seized. "That is not her money, so what has happened there is that East Bay has demanded that money back," said Schneider. "The deferred compensation is recovered stolen property, which will offset her restitution figure." Prosecutors said Gee used her control of the township's payroll system to make contributions to the account since 1995 without deducting the money from her paycheck. Charges against Gee spanned five years because of statute of limitations, but Schneider said he would seek full restitution. Gee, who faces up to five years in prison on each count when Rodgers sentences her on Feb. 3, also faces four more felony charges of official misconduct in office for her handling of township credit card accounts. Schneider said he will wait until after Gee is sentenced before he considers offering a plea deal on the misconduct charges. See Related Stories: Township appoints new clerk - January 18, 2006 Ex-supervisor sentenced - 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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