News

County won't pay for sheriff's attorney

By DOMINIC ADAMS Argus-Press Staff Writer

Friday, June 13, 2008 10:30 AM EDT

CORUNNA - Shiawassee County Commissioners voted Thursday to disallow more than $800 in attorney fees Sheriff Jon Wilson requested for independent counsel.

He hired the lawyers a week after seven deputies filed a formal declaration of a hostile work environment.

Wilson wanted a May 27 voucher from the sheriff department's fund for $805 to cover Flint attorney Michael Gildner's services.

“I'm surprised and saddened that he'd submit it anyway,” Commissioner Jaime Pavlica, D-District 7. “We don't cover legal expenses of this nature. That's his responsibility.”

The law firm Simen, Figura & Parker sent the bill to Wilson's home address May 2. It included a three-hour telephone conference April 4, which cost $525. Other phone conferences totaling 90 minutes cost $227.50.

“I don't have a comment because I haven't discussed it with (county commissioners),” said Wilson, adding he probably wouldn't have a comment after he talked with commissioners either.

The Shiawassee County Board of Commissioners previously told Wilson it wouldn't pay for such attorney fees.

“Your request is denied because it is premature to hire independent counsel for you at this time,” the April 22 letter reads. “You have not been named as a defendant in any civil litigation, nor is there an emergency situation requiring immediate legal representation. Therefore, you have not demonstrated the present need for separate legal counsel under the law so as to obligate the County for the expense.”

The deputies publicly complained in April through documents filed with Shiawassee County officials after Wilson made staffing changes they said would negatively affect public safety. Deputies said the changes were in retaliation to documents describing alleged physical altercations with Wilson that went public.

Staffing changes included switching the roles of Emergency Manager Lt. Mike TerMeer with Lt. Detective David Kirk, who runs the detective bureau and road patrol.

The Board of Commissioners blocked Kirk's reappointment and transferred the emergency management department to County Administrator Margaret McAvoy's guidance.

Visit www.argus-press.com/special_section/14 to read documents concerning Wilson's attorney fees.

- Contact Dominic Adams at 725-5136 extension 239 or by e-mail at dadamsarguspress@gmail.com.

Comment on this Story

Monica Fritz wrote on Jun 16, 2008 3:26 PM:

" Why should the county pay for his lawyer when other people has to have an lawyer they have to pay it right out of their own pockets. And most people that gets a lawyer don't have a job like Sheriff Deputy Jon Wilson.... "

janet wrote on Jun 15, 2008 2:03 PM:

" PLEASE GIVE SHERIFF WILSON A BREAK. HE WAS ONLY DOING HIS JOB. BUY SUCK BOTTLE AND SUCK ON IT FOR AWHILE. WHAT A BUNCH OF CRY BABIES. "

truth please wrote on Jun 14, 2008 2:30 PM:

" hmmm.....I wonder if this is "politically motivated" the way EVERYTHING is labeled, that Wilson doesn't like, or when someone gets in the way of his slimy behavior. "

had ithere wrote on Jun 14, 2008 2:28 PM:

" well, isn't that just the epitome of audacity?!

The ridiculous sheriff gets sued for his deplorable behavior and judgement and then he tries to STICK THE BILL for his defense with the County?

Amazing. Please God bring this to an end in AUGUST! "

bryan kauffman wrote on Jun 13, 2008 5:17 PM:

" thats good!!!!!well be votin for a new sheriff pretty soon. "