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Judge finds Macomb Township violated Open Meetings Act in hiring of attorney

Posted at 6:41 PM, May 23, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-24 07:32:47-04

A judge has ruled the Macomb Township Board violated the Open Meetings Act back in December when it met behind closed doors and approved a deal for a new township attorney-human resources director. 

Some are calling it a sweetheart deal because it gives the attorney a salary of $150,000 a year, just under that of the Governor who makes $159,000. 

The attorney-HR director also gets health care, 5 1/2 weeks of paid vacation and can work during the day for other clients.

The lawsuit was filed by former Township Supervisor Mark Grabow. 

His attorney Marc Deldin says the ruling from the judge also means the attorney is out of a job, the deal is null and void. The issue could come up at the township board meeting on Wednesday night.  

Attorney Deldin tells 7 Action News he may refer this as a criminal complaint and may seek sanctions from the judge.

Neither Township Supervisor Janet Dunn nor the attorney, Tom Esordi, were at the township hall and available for comment this afternoon. They did not call us back.

The original lawsuit and the ruling from Circuit Court Judge Diane Druzinksi are available here.

Macomb Township Open meetings lawsuit by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd

Macomb County open meetings ruling by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd