County Administrator Calls For State Review

berriencountyadministration-63
berriencountyadministration-63

Berrien County Administrator Bill Wolf is calling for a state investigation into the conduct of local elected officials. Following the Berrien County Board of Commissioners vote Thursday to appoint a special counsel to look into disclosure and conflict of interest questions among commissioners, Wolf spoke out during public comments. He commended the board for retaining the special counsel to examine the matter following the Berrien County Prosecutor’s investigation into Commissioner Teri Freehling. Then…

“I would also ask that this board direct the chair to sign a letter to the governor asking for her to have the state attorney general review the criminal aspects of this case of alleged serial corruption among elected officials,” Wolf said.

The Berrien County Prosecutor’s office announced this week there would be no charges against Freehling following an investigation into her late husband’s rental of equipment to a contractor working on county drain projects. Wolf said the citizens of Berrien County should have their trust in the integrity of county leadership restored. Board Chair Mac Elliot told WSJM News there’s no way he’ll get the state involved.

“The request for a referral to the governor and a request to have the attorney general get involved, that will not happen under my watch,” Elliot said. “I think that would be contrary to the goals of bringing us together as a governing body, and it frankly shows a lack of respect for the work that the prosecutor’s office has done over the last six months.”

Elliot said the situation has been thoroughly reviewed by the prosecutor. He says it is now time to move forward.