Three misdemeanor charges were filed against incoming Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) trustee Laura Oblinger Monday in connection to an underage party held at her Garfield Township home on Halloween. Oblinger, who learned of the charges shortly before taking her oath of office and being elected to serve as board treasurer at NMC’s board meeting, told The Ticker she will respect the legal process but does not intend to resign her position.

Grand Traverse County Prosecuting Attorney Noelle Moeggenberg authorized three misdemeanor charges against Oblinger related to an out-of-control party that resulted in more than 100 teens gathering at her home during the pandemic on October 31. Five of the attendees at the event were issued minor in possession (MIP) citations. Oblinger is facing charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, furnishing alcohol to a minor, and allowing a minor to consume alcohol on the premises. Oblinger’s husband, Jon Chris Oblinger, faces two charges including contributing to the delinquency of a minor and allowing a minor to consume alcohol on the premises. Punishment for the charges varies and can include fees of up to $500 and $1,000 and up to 30 to 90 days in jail.

Moeggenberg says it took nearly three months to issue charges in the case due to several complicating factors, including COVID-19 restrictions that limited interviews and uncooperative witnesses – notably teenagers worried about incriminating themselves or their friends. “It’s not always easy to get interviews in cases like this, because your best witnesses are potentially in trouble,” she says. “That was a lot of (the delay), sending officers back out (to do interviews) and being met with, 'I don’t want to talk to you.'”

The case was also unique because two deputies who responded to the party were beta testing body cameras for the Sheriff’s Office at the time. The cameras provided additional video evidence, but marked the first time Moeggenberg was required to review body cam footage for a local case. Learning the technical aspects of that process – particularly with beta equipment – further delayed the investigation, she says.

Oblinger previously told The Ticker that the party started as an attempt to hold a responsible small outdoor gathering for her 14-year-old daughter and 20-30 friends after learning the teenagers were plotting a party over Snapchat. Oblinger said she notified parents, neighbors, and the Sheriff’s Office in advance of the event, but said things “quickly got out of control,” with dozens of additional kids showing up and drinking and smoking marijuana. Oblinger said at the time that she took responsibility for the party happening on her property, but denied furnishing any alcohol to teenagers. “I will respect whatever needs to be pursued because of what kids brought to my home. I supplied nothing,” she said regarding potential charges. “I made the wrong decision about how many red flags I ignored. I respect the process and it’s up to the prosecutor. I will defend what we did right and share what we did wrong."

While Moeggenberg did not disclose details about the evidence she gathered that prompted her to file charges, a police report obtained by The Ticker includes statements from multiple law enforcement personnel who responded to the party. According to the report, Oblinger’s husband appeared to be “highly intoxicated" at the event, swaying back and forth with slurred speech. Attendees at the party told officers that Oblinger had been drinking and taking pictures with them, had given her daughter shots, and had allowed the teens to come over and drink without fear of getting in trouble. The report details a chaotic scene at the party, with heavy road traffic in the neighborhood and teenagers fleeing on foot into the woods or into cars when officers arrived. Responding officers documented instances of teens cursing at and spitting on them, calling one deputy the N-word, attempting to kick out the windows of police cars, and assaulting an officer. One minor who was issued a MIP was taken to Munson Medical Center for evaluation.

After charges were filed Monday, Oblinger provided a brief verbal statement to The Ticker. “This is surprising to me, but I will respect the process and prepare myself to go through it," she said. “I will continue to move forward with the truth and my integrity." Asked if Oblinger would resign her NMC board seat, she said no. “That is a separate issue that does not impact my ability to lead on that board, and I will continue to perform my duties as an NMC trustee," she said. Oblinger was one of three trustees who won a seat in the November election; news of the Halloween party came out the day before the election, though a record number of absentee ballots had already been cast at that point.

The Ticker contacted NMC President Nick Nissley, Board Chair Chris Bott, and Vice Chair Rachel Johnson about the charges shortly before the college’s board meeting Monday. Nissley referred requests for comment to Bott. Johnson did not respond. None of the trustees – including Oblinger – mentioned the charges during the board meeting, with Oblinger taking her oath of office and being unanimously elected by board members to serve as board treasurer.

After the meeting, Chair Bott called The Ticker and said the case against Oblinger was a “private matter and does not violate board policy." While Michigan law calls for the automatic removal of a trustee in cases of a felony conviction, the rule does not apply to a misdemeanor conviction (charges alone are not applicable in either case). Removal of an elected official from office is otherwise rare in Michigan except in cases of a resignation, recall, or death or incapacitation.

However, the NMC Board of Trustees Governing Style, a document that outlines how trustees should conduct themselves, requires that the board’s “behavior, and that of its members, exemplifies ethical behavior and conduct that is above reproach." When asked about that provision and the nature of the charges involving underage students – a demographic that overlaps heavily with NMC enrollees – Bott said the governing policy only applies to trustees’ conduct in their positions as board members. He said the policy does not apply to trustees’ personal lives or behavior.

“This is a personal matter that has to work its way through the system," he said. “It does not affect the board position."