Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Government Transparency topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners vote to go into closed session on attorney-client matters and a forensic audit; follow counsel on next steps
Summary
The board approved two closed sessions—one for confidential attorney-client communications under MCL 15.268 and a second to discuss an indigent-defense forensic audit—and later adopted motions to follow the advice of counsel and the county forensic accountant when the board returned to open session.
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners voted to enter two closed sessions during its Jan. 21 meeting: one to discuss confidential attorney-client communications pursuant to MCL 15.268 and a second to discuss an indigent-defense forensic audit.
The motions to enter closed session were moved and seconded on the floor; roll-call votes show some dissent. On the first closed-session motion, Commissioner Asper recorded a "No" while a majority voted "Yes" and the motion carried. The second closed session motion, introduced for the forensic-audit matter, likewise passed on roll call. The board recessed for about five minutes to move to a separate room for the closed sessions.
After returning to open session, commissioners moved to "follow the advice of counsel" and to follow the advice of the forensic accountant — motions that passed on roll call. The explicit adoption of counsel and accountant recommendations directs staff to pursue the course indicated during the closed sessions but does not disclose the content of attorney-client communications or forensic accounting findings (which remain confidential).
Ending: Board actions to follow counsel and the forensic accountant make clear the executive branch of the county will proceed consistent with legal guidance and forensic analysis; commissioners said they expect additional meetings and further financial reporting tied to the ongoing investigation.
