West Bloomfield Officials Move Investigation Report to Dec. 9

An attorney investigating activities in the West Bloomfield Township treasurer's office has requested more time to complete a report for township trustees. 

Trustees with a 4-2 vote set a Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m. meeting to receive the report from Johnson Rosati, the firm tasked with an expanded inquiry into banking activities and irregularities in the Treasurer’s office. Trustee Steve Kaplan, who voted against setting the meeting, said he was hoping to see the report.

"There's been a pall cast over the township with some allegations, and I think it's unfair to the office holder for this to be delayed," he said.

Treasurer Teri Weingarden called the investigation "a wild goose chase" and said there are people who would do anything, even hurting the township, to "go after" her. In October, officials forced Weingarden to pay an investigation-related invoice submitted by Johnson Rosati, which she had refused to pay because the firm had not provided documents she requested. 

"We have a blank check we're writing to this attorney, and it keeps getting bigger and bigger," she said. "We're basically paying an attorney to go out there and find a problem that doesn't exist."

Township clerk Catherine Shaughnessy, who has for months been at odds with Weingarden, said during the four-month course of the investigation, Weingarden had not posted any interest to the township's general ledger.

"In fact, my office had to do that today," she said. "That interest totaled over $100,000, and we didn't even know we had the money."

Weingarden and Shaughnessy, whose offices each have a part in managing the township's finances, have both complained about problems with their working relationship. Weingarden has also had staffing issues that included the controversial hiring of a deputy treasurer and a months-long tussle over hiring a cash manager. 

With a new cash manager starting this week, Weingarden said, she expects everything will be reconciled by year's end. She also opposed setting the Dec. 9 meeting.