WOODHAVEN, Mich. – Woodhaven Mayor Patricia Odette said she feels “vindicated” after an independent investigation into allegations of misconduct found no evidence of intentional wrongdoing, a finding revealed during a City Council meeting Tuesday evening.
The allegations were brought forward by City Administrator Jeff Harris, who previously told Local 4 they involved potential misuse of city funds and resources. After meeting in closed session, council members said the investigation identified some procedural errors but found no evidence that Odette intentionally acted improperly.
“We take these findings seriously and will be implementing corrective measures to strengthen our processes, improve our oversight, and ensure continued public trust,” said Council Member Preston Abadie.
Odette requested an investigation into herself back in April.
She submitted a resignation letter to the City Council on April 2, saying she planned to step down effective May 1, then later withdrew it.
In a previous interview, Odette said she initially considered leaving after learning Harris planned to bring allegations forward, but decided to stay to fight them and clear her name.
Odette, who has served as mayor for 17 years, spoke to Local 4 alongside her attorney, Larry Gadd, after the findings were announced.
“I have been humiliated, I’ve been afraid to go out, I mean, I love these people,” Odette said.
Odette and Gadd said one issue was that the mayor was covered by the city’s health insurance despite not technically being a city employee under the city charter.
They said the city’s human resources department determined she was eligible after she enrolled in the plan in 2017, and that Odette paid the full cost of her premiums while she was covered.
She now has her own health insurance.
They said other complaints cited instances in which Odette asked the city for help with matters they characterized as minor or community-related.
Those instances included two times requesting police use a drone to help locate missing dogs, asking the public works department to bring a generator to the Woodhaven Animal Hospital during a power outage, requesting help with a flat tire, and using a city-owned sign machine to make a banner for a charity event, she said, which raised thousands of dollars for the city’s animal control shelter.
Odette said none of the issues amounted to misuse of city funds.
“I never embezzled from the city, I never stole a penny from the city, I did not misuse funds,” Odette said.
Harris declined to speak on camera after the meeting, saying he would let the report speak for itself once it’s made public and that he stands by its findings.
Gadd said the outcome supports Odette’s character and her long tenure as mayor.
“We think that this investigation vindicates her and establishes that she’s been nothing but an upstanding, compassionate, and outstanding mayor for the last 17 years,” Gadd said.