(WXYZ) — Our reporting now has the attention of local and state law enforcement, after a public official admitted to hiding documents and telling others to do the same.
Last Friday, Oakland County Commissioner Shelley Taub admitted to sending a text message telling other commissioners to “delete all emails regarding Brooks replacement.”
Her message also stressed the importance by adding “You are about to receive FOA’s ... DELETE! DELETE! DELETE! Now.”
Today, Michigan advocacy group Progress Michigan issued a statement saying in part: "Commissioner Taub needs to resign because she’s admitted, on camera, to trying to hide public documents from the people of Oakland County, who deserve real accountability from their elected officials.”
County Treasurer and 2020 candidate for executive Andy Meisner agrees, and has pledged to contact the Sheriff’s office for a possible criminal investigation. Also, former board chairman Dave Woodward who himself has used personal email for county business has now said he’ll switch to more secure county email, if selected to serve as Executive.
Our story has also caught the attention of the state AG’a office. Their communications director has issued a statement saying: “While this may be a prosecutable offense, a complaint would need to be made to local law enforcement before any further action could take place. The Attorney General’s office would only get involved if and when we are requested by law enforcement (including the prosecutor’s office).”
Today’s announcements also included the board saying they’ll hold open interviews for the position on Wednesday with a bi-partisan panel.
In the meantime, Taub is still serving on the board. That means she still gets to cast a vote for County Executive as early as Friday.
