Michigan Republicans will return Covid relief funds used to pay own bonuses

[Judi Lynn]

Six commissioners voted to pay themselves $65,000 in total

Associated Press in Corunna, Michigan
Sun 25 Jul 2021 12.53 EDT

Elected Republican officials in a conservative Michigan county who gave themselves bonuses totalling $65,000 with federal Covid-19 relief funds said they would return the money – following days of criticism.

The Shiawassee county commissioners acted after a prosecutor said the payments were illegal, the Argus-Press reported.

The Michigan state constitution bars additional compensation for elected officials “after services had already been rendered”, prosecutor Scott Koerner said.

The commissioners voted on 15 July to award themselves $65,000 as part of a plan to give $557,000 to 250 county employees as “hazard pay” for dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

The smallest amounts for recipients were $1,000 to $2,000. But the chairman of the county board, Jeremy Root, got $25,000. Two commissioners received $10,000 each, while four received $5,000 each.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/25/michigan-republicans-covid-relief-funds-bonuses

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Jeremy Root

County Commissioner Jeremy Root
Home » News » Sunday South » County Commissioner Jeremy Root

February 24, 2020 • Sunday North, Sunday South

COUNTY COMMISSIONER CHAIR JEREMY ROOT spoke briefly during the Monday evening Lincoln Day Dinner at the Comstock Inn and Conference Center. “I know some of the things you read and see out there in social media and in the newspapers, probably doesn’t give people an adequate view of actually what’s going on in the county. There are several good things going on in the county in the last six years,” he said. He highlighted technology improvements and the new county treasurer. He also described the MERS situation and how the commissioners have been trying to dig themselves out of a hole so that future commissioners would appreciate their efforts.

“It’s going to be a tough election here in Shiawassee County,” Root said. “I think there is a party on the other side that is mobilizing that are led by some people with less than good intentions, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they tried to wrangle a few people in this room to their side.” He encouraged people to vote for Republicans and to make sure those individuals were truly Republican and didn’t just have an “R” by their name.

http://owossoindependent.com/county-commissioner-jeremy-root/

[SmittyWerben]

1. When I saw this yesterday

I tried to figure out the party affiliation, although since it was not mentioned I kinda knew it would be R's. Had to actually look up the commissioners website to see that they were, in fact, all R's. Returning their bonuses instead of redistributing them to those who deserve them. Shitheads.

[Chainfire]

2. If a few buddies and I stole $65,000.00 it would not be "just giving it back."

It would involve deputy sheriffs, hand-cuffs, getting my picture took and finding a bondsman!

[dweller]

3. Sounds like they knew what they'd done

was illegal and just needed to be called out on it
🤨
I would think auditing at the state financial level is needed, not of the past election

✌🏻

[Generic Other]

4. That my friends is standard procedure for most of the GOP

The government needs to audit the handouts they gave the wealthy and publish the shame list. Then demand refunds through IRS.

[lagomorph777]

5. They should still be arrested.

If I steal a car and give it back after I'm caught, I still go to jail.