Motions heard in Macomb County Clerk Karen Spranger residency hearing; decision expected in 2 weeks

Spranger lists Warren house as primary residence to run for clerk

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – Attorneys presented motions Monday in court regarding the residency of Karen Spranger in a hearing that could decide if the embattled Macomb County Clerk will continue serving.

Spranger has been at the center of several controversies over the last year.

A lawsuit was filed in August 2017 against the clerk questioning her residency, specifically where she lived as of April 2016 when she filed to run for office.

According to Macomb County officials, the home on Hudson Avenue in Warren was Spranger's primary address. Assessment records list Spranger as the owner. Neighbors said the home is overrun with raccoons. Deputies with the Macomb County Sheriff's Office went to survey the home in December 2017 as part of the lawsuit and investigators were forced to wear Hazmat suits due to the feces and clutter inside.

Two motions were presented before the court Monday. 

If the county's motion is granted, there will be an automatic ruling that Spranger violated election laws in regards to her residency and opens the doors to perjury charges. The county would still need to take further steps to remove Spranger from office.

If Spranger's motion is granted, the case will be dismissed.

If neither motion is granted, the case will go to trial. A decision is expected in the next two weeks.

Full coverage of Karen Spranger

Jan. 19, 2017: Spranger barred from using county computers after violating security protocols

March 13, 2017: Spranger seeks lawyer for court battle with Hackel

April 11, 2017: Spranger hides in bathroom to avoid questions about dispute with county board

April 20, 2017Macomb County clerk fined for ethics violation amid dispute with county board

April 20, 2017Macomb County clerk crashes county car after being fined for ethics violation

April 24, 2017Neighbor says home listed as Spranger's primary residence overrun with raccoons

May 3, 2017Emails reveal another battle between Spranger and Macomb County officials

May 4, 2017Spranger caught hiding moving boxes to block move to new building

May 9, 2017Legal battle troubles intensify for Macomb County Clerk Karen Spranger

May 10, 2017Judge orders Spranger to cooperate with move to new building

May 17, 2017Spranger answers claims that her office is 'hostile work environment'

June 19, 2017Simple report turns heated between Spranger and county officials

June 22, 2017Macomb County clerk files suit to allow firearms inside government buildings

June 28, 2017Spranger's employees working in fear after security removed

July 20, 2017Spranger accused of perjury over 'uninhabitable' home in Warren

Aug. 1, 2017Lawsuit announced against Macomb County Clerk Karen Spranger

Aug. 14, 2017Employee calls 911 after Spranger asks to look through her purse

Sept. 22, 2017Spranger accused of moving, hiding computers overnight

Sept. 28, 2017Judge rules against Spranger in 'toxic work environment' case

Oct. 21, 2017: Spranger's totaled car among items up for bids at Macomb County auction

Oct. 25, 2017Spranger caught on video covering up court order

Oct. 27, 2017Union files restraining order against Spranger over 'hostile workplace'

Oct. 27, 2017Macomb County Clerk Karen Spranger sues Google amid residency battle

Nov. 1, 2017Employee blames Spranger for huge online backlog at office

Nov. 7, 2017: Spranger requests $100K to pay for her ongoing legal battles

Nov. 9, 2017Spranger's office given Thursday deadline to clear e-filing backlog

Nov. 9, 2017Spranger fails to meet judges' backlog deadline

Nov. 9, 2017: Spranger solves long wait times by bringing in benches for customers

Nov. 21, 2017Union files motion to hold Spranger in contempt of court

Nov. 29, 2017Contempt of court hearing held for Spranger

Nov. 30, 2017: Spranger appears before Board of Commissioners

Nov. 30, 2017Spranger grilled over massive backlog in her office

Dec. 11, 2017: Judge hears arguments on Spranger's firing of employees

Dec. 15, 2017: Video shows feces, clutter in house Spranger listed as residence

Jan. 2, 2018Spranger files lawsuit against Macomb County alleging conspiracy against her

Jan. 8, 2018Spranger puts Macomb County hiring on hold

Jan. 23, 2018Employee says Spranger pressured her to illegally alter record

Jan. 31, 2018: Attorney for Spranger says register of deeds threatened him

Feb. 27, 2018Spranger takes conspiracy allegations to federal court

March 13, 2018Officials claim glitch at courts caused by Spranger maxing out credit card


About the Authors:

Jason is Local 4’s utility infielder. In addition to anchoring the morning newscast, he often reports on a variety of stories from the tragic, like the shootings at Michigan State, to the off-beat, like great gas station food.

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