WOODHAVEN, Mich. – A newly obtained independent investigation into allegations involving Woodhaven Mayor Patricia Odette found that many of the most serious accusations against her could not be substantiated, while also concluding that some concerns regarding city resources, health insurance coverage, and administrative practices were valid.
The findings come from a June 1 report prepared by attorney Jonathon A. Rabin following competing complaints filed earlier this year by Odette and City Administrator Jeff Harris.
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The report was discussed publicly during a Woodhaven City Council meeting on Tuesday (June 2) evening, where council members said the investigation identified procedural problems but found no evidence of intentional misconduct by the mayor.
“We take these findings seriously and will be implementing corrective measures to strengthen our processes, improve our oversight, and ensure continued public trust,” Council Member Preston Abadie said during the meeting.
“I never embezzled from the city, I never stole a penny from the city, I did not misuse funds,” Odette said.
According to the report, the investigation stemmed from a confrontation between Odette and Harris in early April.
Harris accused the mayor of misconduct and later requested that the City Council consider an investigation into what he described as potential misuse of city employees, city funds, and city buildings, as well as insurance fraud, bribery, and other concerns.
Odette subsequently raised her own concerns about Harris, and the City Council unanimously approved an investigation into both officials.
One of the report’s most significant findings involved Odette’s participation in the city’s Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance plan.
The investigator concluded that the mayor should never have been enrolled because the benefit was not authorized under the city charter as compensation for elected officials.
The report found that Odette paid the full cost of her premiums and stated there was no evidence of direct financial harm to the city.
However, the investigator concluded that both Odette and Harris were responsible for allowing the arrangement to continue for nearly nine years.
Odette and her attorney previously told Local 4 that city human resources personnel determined she was eligible for the plan and that she paid the premiums herself.
They said she has since obtained her own health insurance coverage.
The report also examined Harris’ allegation that Odette obtained weight-loss medication through the city’s health insurance coverage and gave it to a friend.
Rabin wrote that he could not substantiate the claim after interviewing witnesses, reviewing documentation, and receiving a sworn statement from the friend denying the allegation.
The mayor also denied the accusation.
The investigation identified broader concerns regarding the city’s compliance with competitive bidding requirements. Rabin concluded there was “no doubt” that the city’s bidding ordinance had been improperly ignored on some significant projects, including renovations involving fire department facilities and the community center.
However, the report stops short of assigning sole responsibility to either Odette or Harris, instead concluding that city officials collectively failed to ensure bidding requirements were consistently followed.
The report found that some allegations involving Odette’s use of city personnel and resources were partly substantiated.
Among the examples cited were requests for city employees to create signs and banners using city equipment for her chiropractic office and animal charity, requests to provide city generators to a veterinary hospital during power outages, requests for city assistance with vehicle issues, and requests involving the use of a police drone to search for missing dogs.
Rabin concluded that these actions did not appear to result in significant financial gain for Odette but rather represented the use of city personnel or resources that were not appropriate for a mayoral office.
Several other allegations made by Harris were found to be unsubstantiated, including claims involving election petition signatures, allegations that Odette improperly influenced a property assessment, accusations that city-funded electronics were purchased for her personal use, claims that traffic tickets were fixed for friends, and allegations involving charitable fundraising activities conducted on city time.
The report notes that many accusations raised by both Odette and Harris involved incidents that were years old, making them difficult or impossible to verify.
The investigation also examined allegations Odette raised against Harris. Most of those complaints were found to be unsubstantiated, including claims regarding administrative authority, investigation handling, and communication with the City Council.
However, Rabin concluded that Harris improperly took expired EpiPens that had been left with the city for disposal and kept them for personal use.
According to the report, Harris acknowledged taking the EpiPens, citing severe allergies.
In his final conclusions, Rabin wrote that Odette should not have participated in the city’s health insurance plan, that some city employees viewed her communication style as intimidating, and that she improperly used city personnel or resources in certain circumstances.
The report also concluded that Harris should not have taken the EpiPens and that many allegations made by both parties could not be substantiated.
The report recommends greater adherence to the city’s bidding requirements and increased cooperation among elected officials, administrators, and department heads to ensure city policies are followed moving forward.
No disciplinary action was announced during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
City officials said corrective measures will be implemented to improve oversight and administrative processes.
Odette, who has served as mayor since 2009 and previously served on the City Council, said the investigation clears her of the most serious allegations leveled against her while allowing the city to move forward.