Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Litigation Settlement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Oscoda Township approves $60,000 settlement with trustee Jeffrey Linderman; trustee agrees to recusal for meeting matters
Summary
At a May 5 special meeting the Oscoda Township Board approved a $60,000 settlement in Linderman v. Oscoda Township and adopted release language saying the township made no findings of ethical violations; Trustee Jeffrey Linderman recused himself and said he “stipulates to the agreement as written.”
The Oscoda Township Board on May 5 approved a $60,000 settlement in the case Linderman v. Oscoda Township and adopted a written release stating that “Neither the Township or any representative of the Township has made any findings of ethical violations by Jeffrey Linderman.” The motion was made by Trustee Mr. Cummings and supported by Trustee Ms. Fortner and was recorded as passing with six yeas, no nays and Trustee Jeffrey Linderman recused from the vote.
The minutes say the payment will be made by Oscoda Charter Township and Tammy Kline through their insurance carrier, TMHCC, and that the board’s vote is “of course subject to Mr. Linderman's approval and signature upon the release discussed.” The board had first met in closed session to consult with counsel about settlement strategy related to a letter from Mr. Dan White under the statute cited in the minutes.
After the board voted, Supervisor Nicole Micole Tregear asked Trustee Linderman to agree to recuse himself from involvement in the motion and from commenting as a trustee at any time during the board meeting. After consulting with his legal counsel Mr. Linderman said, “I stipulate to the agreement as written, nothing more, nothing less.”
The motion and related closed-session discussion were recorded in the meeting minutes under the cited attorney–client privilege authority. The board’s minutes do not record any opposing votes on the settlement; the settlement is described as contingent on Linderman signing the release.
The board continued with its agenda after exiting closed session. The township clerk’s official meeting record and the signed release, when available, will provide the formal documentation of the settlement and its terms.
