Lapeer places city manager Mike Womack on paid administrative leave pending investigation

The Lapeer City Commission voted to place City Manager Mike Womack on paid administrative leave for three weeks and set a special hearing for Aug. 10, 2026, after reviewing an independent workplace investigation and debating how to provide a redacted copy of its findings to Womack.

The motion, adopted after a roll-call vote, directs city IT staff to suspend Womack's digital and building access while preserving records, provides Womack a redacted copy of the investigation (redactions limited to legal analysis and conclusions), and designates Kelly Hanna, director of financial services, as acting city manager during the leave. Labor counsel Aaron Graves told the commission that employers have an obligation to "do an investigation of that complaint, which has been done, and then to take prompt and appropriate remedial action," underscoring counsel's recommendation to proceed in a way that protects employees and the city.

Womack addressed the commission before the vote, saying he was surprised by the allegations and that the reviews included inaccuracies. "I literally have no idea what I'm even being accused of," he said, adding he had been "defensive" and wanted the chance to respond. His attorney told the commission the manager would produce a written response after receiving the redacted report. The commission's motion sets the hearing to allow Womack to review evidence and respond before any further action is taken.