Charlevoix County commissioner to file grievance against prosecutor
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CHARLEVOIX — A Charlevoix County commissioner says she plans to file a complaint with the Attorney Grievance Commission of Michigan against the county prosecutor for allegedly abusing his elected office.
Charlevoix County Commissioner Shirlene Tripp, of Hayes Township, read at length from a prepared statement Wednesday at the Charlevoix County Board of Commissioners meeting, leveling several allegations against Charlevoix County Prosecutor John Jarema, including abusing his office staff, lying to elected officials and not acting in the best interest of the municipality.
"I think it is time for the public to know what is really going on behind the scenes," Tripp read, beginning her statement.
Tripp told the News-Review following the meeting she will be filing a complaint with the grievance commission via certified mail today, Thursday.
The grievance commission serves the Michigan Supreme Court to perform investigations and prosecution for attorney misconduct. If the Attorney Grievance Commission finds a member of the Michigan Bar Association has potentially committed misconduct, a three-volunteer attorney panel is appointed by the state Attorney Grievance Board to conduct trial-level proceedings.
Tripp accused Jarema of coordinating to bring potential criminal charges over a discrepancy that Tripp, who represents District 1, was paid for meetings she did not attend. However, Tripp says the issue is years old and there was a sealed agreement by the prosecutor's office to allow her to repay some of the funds.
She denied the incident was criminal and said the questions regarding the meetings had been resolved previously.
"That is outrageous. Frankly, Jarema is misrepresenting this to his client Charlevoix County," Tripp said. "He has been vindictive and if I need to get an attorney because John Jarema lied to me and this board then I will do that. That isn't something I thought I would ever have to say."
Jarema, who did not attend the meeting Wednesday night, said Thursday morning by phone: "Let me get this straight. Tripp is now, because she has a criminal investigation against her on how she got paid or didn't get paid on per diems, now is bringing out allegations against me?"
Jarema said the matter involving Tripp had been brought to the attention of the Michigan State Police by two private citizens.
"I don't make charges, the police do," Jarema said. "I don't have a warrant request. I don't even know if the investigation is done, and if it is done and comes to my office, I'm going to refer it for a special prosecutor anyway. That is typical on conflict cases."
Although the agreement between Charlevoix County and Tripp came from an office Jarema governs, he said he did not have detailed knowledge about the dollar amounts or what was agreed upon.
"I didn't sign it," he said, although he admitted having oversight as the elected official in charge.
Jarema said the agreement was made between Tripp's attorney Mary Beth Kur and his chief assistant prosecutor Shaynee Fanara, which according to Jarema, had an agreement that there would not be further prosecution or charges.
"Obviously, that is not a lawful or ethical agreement," Jarema said. "My chief assistant prosecutor should have known that ... She can not tie the hands of the public from demanding she repay the rest of the amount. Ethically, you can't."
Charlevoix County Commissioner Shirlene Tripp, of Hayes Township, read at length from a prepared statement Wednesday at the Charlevoix County Board of Commissioners meeting, leveling several allegations against Charlevoix County Prosecutor John Jarema, including abusing his office staff, lying to elected officials and not acting in the best interest of the municipality.
"I think it is time for the public to know what is really going on behind the scenes," Tripp read, beginning her statement.
Tripp told the News-Review following the meeting she will be filing a complaint with the grievance commission via certified mail today, Thursday.
The grievance commission serves the Michigan Supreme Court to perform investigations and prosecution for attorney misconduct. If the Attorney Grievance Commission finds a member of the Michigan Bar Association has potentially committed misconduct, a three-volunteer attorney panel is appointed by the state Attorney Grievance Board to conduct trial-level proceedings.
Tripp accused Jarema of coordinating to bring potential criminal charges over a discrepancy that Tripp, who represents District 1, was paid for meetings she did not attend. However, Tripp says the issue is years old and there was a sealed agreement by the prosecutor's office to allow her to repay some of the funds.
She denied the incident was criminal and said the questions regarding the meetings had been resolved previously.
"That is outrageous. Frankly, Jarema is misrepresenting this to his client Charlevoix County," Tripp said. "He has been vindictive and if I need to get an attorney because John Jarema lied to me and this board then I will do that. That isn't something I thought I would ever have to say."
Jarema, who did not attend the meeting Wednesday night, said Thursday morning by phone: "Let me get this straight. Tripp is now, because she has a criminal investigation against her on how she got paid or didn't get paid on per diems, now is bringing out allegations against me?"
Jarema said the matter involving Tripp had been brought to the attention of the Michigan State Police by two private citizens.
"I don't make charges, the police do," Jarema said. "I don't have a warrant request. I don't even know if the investigation is done, and if it is done and comes to my office, I'm going to refer it for a special prosecutor anyway. That is typical on conflict cases."
Although the agreement between Charlevoix County and Tripp came from an office Jarema governs, he said he did not have detailed knowledge about the dollar amounts or what was agreed upon.
"I didn't sign it," he said, although he admitted having oversight as the elected official in charge.
Jarema said the agreement was made between Tripp's attorney Mary Beth Kur and his chief assistant prosecutor Shaynee Fanara, which according to Jarema, had an agreement that there would not be further prosecution or charges.
"Obviously, that is not a lawful or ethical agreement," Jarema said. "My chief assistant prosecutor should have known that ... She can not tie the hands of the public from demanding she repay the rest of the amount. Ethically, you can't."
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