Leelanau Prosecutor Assigned to OMA Case

Aug. 1, 2015

Leelanau County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Hubbell will make the final determination as to whether Grand Traverse County commissioners will face charges of violating the state's Open Meetings Act (OMA). Hubbell was appointed as a special prosecuting attorney to the case Friday by the Michigan Attorney General's office. Grand Traverse Prosecuting Attorney Bob Cooney had requested another prosecutor oversee the case, citing his role as chief civil counsel for the board of commissioners.

A three-month-long investigation by the Michigan State Police into whether commissioners violated OMA by meeting privately to discuss county business produced "no statements or information" substantiating a violation, according to a report released Wednesday. Hubbell will review that report and decide whether to gather additional evidence or witness interviews, and ultimately, whether to press or decline charges.