Augusta Township clerk is charged with felony eavesdropping

AUGUSTA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) - Augusta Township Clerk Kathy Gisczcak has been charged with felony eavesdropping after investigators say she recorded a private conversation inside the township hall.

She's accused of secretly recording a private conversation between Augusta Township Supervisor Pete Hafler and then Deputy Treasurer Janice Blair in 2010 inside the township hall.

"It made me mad," says Hafler.

"I just felt it was very wrong," says Blair.

In that conversation, Blair says she shared her belief with Hafler that her boss, the treasurer, was misusing funds.

Soon after, Blair was fired and later filed a whistleblower lawsuit which was settled for $60,000.

However, months later Clerk Gisczcak's deposition from the whistleblower case was revealed. In it, she admitted to tape recording a conversation between Hafler and Blair and said: “I believe that I might have provided information to the treasurer that influenced the treasurer terminating Janice Blair.”

When asked if she was part of the conversation, Gisczcak said “No.”

Up until that deposition, Hafler and Blair say they had no idea their conversation about the alleged misuse of funds was recorded.

"It is an invasion. It's not a pleasant feeling," says Hafler.

"We made sure no one was in there so we could talk privately. I don’t know where she had the tape recorder, but she had it somewhere where she picked us up," says Blair.

Kathy Gisczcak wouldn't answer any questions, but told 7 Action News by phone that "The recording was made of a public, not private, conversation which took place in the common area of the public township hall."

She also called the prosecution "unfounded" and believes she will be exonerated.

As for a motive, Hafler believes, "She just wants control. She's in everybody's business," she says.

Blair is now working as a receptionist at a law office. Hafler is still the township supervisor. Now both are making their feelings about Gisczcak known.

"At least take her office away from her it can’t be trusted," says Blair.

"I hope she resigns," adds Hafler.