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Macomb County Clerk Karen Spranger before Board of Commissioners

Spranger reports on backlog at Macomb County Clerk's Office

Macomb County Clerk Karen Spranger failed to meet judges' orders to fix a major backlog. (WDIV)

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – Macomb County Clerk Karen Spranger appeared before the Board of Commissioners Thursday to address the historic backlog at the Clerk's Office.

Spranger failed to meet a deadline from judges to fix the massive backlog reported by Local 4 News last week.

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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


About the Authors
Jason Colthorp headshot

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.

Derick Hutchinson headshot

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.

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