There are new wild allegations involving conspiracies, fraud, and even President Donald Trump coming from the Macomb County Deputy Clerk put on administrative leave.
Seven Action News exposed the original allegations that lead to this in April last year. Sources said Macomb County Clerk Karen Spranger lied to get elected when she said she lived in a house in Warren. At the time, Spranger denied the allegations.
A judge ruled Tuesday that that house had been vacant for years and was filled with garbage, dead animals and feces. As a result, he ordered Karen Spranger removed from office.
On Wednesday, her deputy clerk, Jackie Ryan, reported to work. She was told she was being placed on on administrative leave. For a time she argued, demanding paperwork.
After she was escorted out of the office, she spoke to the media and defended her boss. She said Spranger lives in Macomb County, and the real reason they are being removed from their positions is that they found fraud.
She says they reported the fraud to the federal government and President Donald Trump responded. Their removals come in retaliation.
Seven Action News asked for proof.
Ryan refused to hand over any evidence. She said the federal government has it.
“We are working with the U.S. Marshals,” said Ryan.
She said Karen Spranger told her she was with U.S. Marshals at the moment, helping with the investigation.
“The president has given them directions and they are under orders of him,” said Ryan.
She claimed President Donald Trump himself is aware and involved in responding to the fraud allegedly uncovered in Macomb County.
Seven Action News called the White House for comment. A White House spokesperson said the president would not be involved in Macomb County fraud allegations.
Seven Action News called the U.S. Marshals. We were told the U.S. Marshals had not received a report concerning fraud in Macomb County, had not investigated fraud in the clerk’s office and were not currently investigating fraud in the clerk’s office.
“I am just glad we are here today and moving in a new direction,” said Mark Deldin, Macomb County Chief Deputy County Executive.
Chief Judge James Biernat Jr. appointed a temporary clerk to take over until a long-term replacement can be found.
The residency controversy is not the only issue Spranger has been criticized for. She was accused of not being able to manage the clerk’s office, resulting in filing delays that impacted courts and law enforcement. She could also face criminal investigations for allegations of misusing a county credit card and kicked a county employee.
Seven Action News reached out to Spranger for comment, but she did not return our calls.
Deldin confirmed that Ryan has officially been fired by the interim county clerk.
