OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – A Massachusetts man is being held in the Oakland County Jail for harassing a Bloomfield Township official.
Over the course of several months, 47-year-old Marc Aisen sent what police describe as threatening and accusatory emails to Bloomfield Township treasurer Michael Schostak, other township officials, and nearly 200 of his associates.
“Everyone said you’re an elected official; it comes with the territory,” said Schostak, who adds things went too far. “When he went to my family and my children through their school, that’s when I went to police.”
It’s still not clear why Aisen began contacting Schostak, who says he only responded once, and that was to tell him to stop.
“There’s no real motive there on why he was doing it other than he stated he wanted him removed from office because of these horrible accusations that we know not to be true,” said Community Liaison Officer Nick Soley.
Soley says Aisen was told by police to stop contacting Schostak. When he didn’t, a warrant was issued for his arrest. Aisen refused to turn himself in, so local law enforcement arrested him, and he was extradited to Michigan.
“He believed that there were going to be no ramifications,” said Foley. “He believed he could say whatever he wanted because he was states away. We’re a local jurisdiction, and no one’s going to come and get him. We’re in the age of social media and electronic mail; you’re still going to be held accountable for what you say and what you do.”
Aisen is facing two felony counts of using a computer to commit a crime. He’s being held on a $50,000 cash bond. If he does post bail, he won’t be able to leave the state or use a computer.
He cannot have contact with Schostak or his associates and would be monitored with a tether.
“The level and temperature of our discourse in this country has gone off the charts,” said Schostak, who also says it’s okay to disagree, but “we should be able to do it in a way that’s civil, respectful, and courteous.”