MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – Macomb County Clerk Karen Spranger failed to meet a deadline from judges to fix the massive backlog reported by Local 4 News last week.
Thursday was the deadline for Spranger to fix the backlog, under orders from circuit court judges. There was virtually no progress made, and Spranger also failed to bring staffers back and fill open positions, which was another order from judges.
Now, problems from her contentious appearance Tuesday before the Macomb County Board of Commissioners could spell the end of her tenure.
At the end of business Thursday, Macomb County commissioners Bob Smith and Rob Leonetti served Spranger with a resolution ordering her to report on the state of her office.
Under the statue MCL 46.11, if she doesn't comply with the resolution, she could be removed from office.
As for the letter delivered to Spranger Monday from the circuit court judges, which ordered her to take care of the unprecedented backlog, the Clerk's Office didn't even make a dent.
A previous E-filing backup of more than 2,800 is now still at 2,587. The filings date back to Oct. 13.
When it comes to LEIN criminal history reports, Spranger's office went backward. There were 1,632 waiting to be processed, and now there are 1,742.
Situations like this are so rare, nobody knew for sure what would be next. The circuit court could take over that part of her office and take the employees she refused to let work and do those filings.
Spranger has to answer the resolution from the commissioners by Nov. 28 and appear in front of the board on Nov. 30. The resolution isn't just about the backlog, but also wait times, which have exploded to more than an hour for some residents.
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, 2017: Macomb County Clerk fined for ethics violation amid dispute with county board
April 20, 2017: Macomb County clerk crashes county car after being fined for ethics violation
April 24, 2017: Neighbor says home listed as Spranger's primary residence overrun with raccoons
May 3, 2017: Emails reveal another battle between Spranger and Macomb County officials
May 4, 2017: Spranger caught hiding moving boxes to block move to new building
May 9, 2017: Legal battle troubles intensify for Macomb County Clerk Karen Spranger
May 10, 2017: Judge orders Spranger to cooperate with move to new building
May 17, 2017: Spranger answers claims that her office is 'hostile work environment'
June 19, 2017: Simple report turns heated between Spranger and county officials
June 22, 2017: Macomb County clerk files suit to allow firearms inside government buildings
June 28, 2017: Spranger's employees working in fear after security removed
July 20, 2017: Spranger accused of perjury over 'uninhabitable' home in Warren
Aug. 1, 2017: Lawsuit announced against Macomb County Clerk Karen Spranger
Aug. 14, 2017: Employee calls 911 after Spranger asks to look through her purse
Sept. 22, 2017: Spranger accused of moving, hiding computers overnight
Sept. 28, 2017: Judge 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, 2017: Spranger caught on video covering up court order
Oct. 27, 2017: Union files restraining order against Spranger over 'hostile workplace'
Oct. 27, 2017: Macomb County Clerk Karen Spranger sues Google amid residency battle
Nov. 1, 2017: Employee blames Spranger for huge online backlog at office
Nov. 7, 2017: Spranger requests $100K to pay for her ongoing legal battles
Nov. 9, 2017: Spranger's office given Thursday deadline to clear e-filing backlog
Nov. 9, 2017: Spranger fails to meet judges' backlog deadline