Urgent Investigation: Oakland County Contract Violated State Law

UPDATE: Oakland County is embroiled in a serious controversy after a nearly $450,000 taxpayer-funded contract was found to violate state law and county policy. This alarming revelation comes as part of an ongoing investigation into a contract with Zaydlogix LLC, a company owned by a current county employee.

The findings, released just this morning, have ignited urgent questions about accountability within the county’s leadership. The contract in question was linked to the Courts and Law Enforcement Management Information System (CLEMIS), a critical network used daily by police officers, sheriffs deputies, and court officials across the region.

According to sources, the investigation was initiated after a whistleblower alerted county executives, including David Coulter, that the contract was improperly awarded to a county employee. Following this email in early July, the contract was swiftly canceled, with county officials claiming that no payments were made.

In a shocking twist, the investigation’s results were presented without prior notice during a county committee meeting on October 10, 2023. Commissioners expressed frustration that the findings were not discussed more broadly with the full board. Michael Spisz, an Oakland County Commissioner, criticized the internal oversight, stating, “Everybody that was involved with that discussion should have known better.”

“This is a pretty black and white violation of state law,” said Walt Herzig, Chief Deputy County Executive.

During the meeting, two of Coulter’s deputies confirmed that the contract indeed violated state law by involving a current employee. Despite the clear breach, officials stated they do not see a need for a formal referral to law enforcement. “We had some employees that were moving forward and did not understand or did not acknowledge the conduct policy,” Sean Carlson, Deputy County Executive, explained.

The county has spent $17,836 on a separate investigation conducted by the law firm Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone. However, instead of releasing the full report, officials provided only a 3-page summary prepared by the county’s internal legal team. This has raised further suspicions among commissioners.

Kristen Nelson, another commissioner, voiced her concerns, stating, “I personally believe that there has to be information missing from the actual report that was done by a 3rd party.” Her comments reflect a growing frustration over transparency and accountability in the county’s dealings.

The CLEMIS system is vital, allowing law enforcement agencies to share critical information including criminal histories and biometric data. The implications of this contract violation could have far-reaching effects on trust within the community and operational integrity among law enforcement.

As the fallout continues, Oakland County residents are left questioning the integrity of their local government and the measures in place to prevent such violations in the future. The situation remains fluid, with further developments expected as pressure mounts on county leadership to address these serious allegations.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story and more insights from local officials. For immediate inquiries, reach out to Heather Catallo at [email protected].