Wayne County ethics board agrees to invite complainant over alleged DocuSign signature

The Wayne County Board of Ethics on Dec. 11 agreed to invite Linda Jarrell to its next regular meeting to present a request for reconsideration alleging a fraudulent DocuSign signature on family medical leave documents. Board staff previously reviewed the matter and had found insufficient evidence to show that the signature was forged.

Mr. Longstreet, who presented the complaint to the board, said the board had considered Jarrell’s earlier submission and concluded there was not enough evidence to show Miss Brown actually placed the signature. Longstreet described two options: bring Jarrell before the board to present additional information, or send a written notice explaining why the board found the evidence insufficient. "We can bring her in, let her say her piece, and we can explain to her the reasons why her evidence is insufficient," Longstreet said. He added that offering Jarrell the chance to speak would help her feel heard even if the board’s conclusion were unchanged.

Another board member emphasized fairness and notice, saying Jarrell’s chief complaint was that she had not received notice and therefore had not been able to appear when the matter was first discussed. The board discussed logistics and possible time limits for an in-person appearance at the next regular meeting (the board’s third-Wednesday schedule was discussed; members debated January dates during the meeting).

Following discussion, a member moved to invite the complainant to the next meeting to state her claim. The mover and a second were recorded on the record; the motion passed with no opposition. The motion text in the meeting record refers to inviting "Miss Terrell," while the complaint and reconsideration request cited in staff materials and discussed on the record identified Linda Jarrell as the person seeking reconsideration. The board did not formalize a public hearing date during the Dec. 11 meeting but instructed staff to arrange for the individual to appear at a future meeting.

Mr. Longstreet also told the board the earlier internal review had not produced evidence tying Miss Brown to a forged signature and that, absent new evidence, the board’s substantive finding was unlikely to change. The board’s action on Dec. 11 was limited to allowing the complainant an opportunity to present additional information.

The board did not take further substantive action on the matter during the meeting. The item will return when staff schedules the complainant to appear.