MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Macomb County Clerk Karen Spranger allegedly kicked an employee Monday morning at the clerk's office sparking a second criminal investigation opened against her on the same day.
Four Macomb County sheriff's deputies were called to the clerk's office after a member of the county executive's office asked for her to be removed from the building.
It was alleged that Spranger was harassing an employee. The employee went to her immediate supervisor while Spranger allegedly stood outside the office and blocked the doorway when the employee attempted to leave. Spranger is accused of kicking the employee when she tried to leave the room.
Evidence technicians are looking at security video.
BREAKING: Four sheriff’s deputies are at the Macomb County Clerk’s office. It’s alleged the clerk, Karen Spranger, kicked an employee. A member of the county executive’s office is asking to have her removed from the building. #Local4 pic.twitter.com/krAMT3cMAn
— «Jason Colthorp» (@JasonColthorp) March 26, 2018
The employee was visibly upset when she left for the day.
Register of Deeds, Jackie Ryan, said Donald Trump has already sent U.S. Marshals to help with the situation. When pressed for specific details, she didn't say how many U.S. Marshals were on the way to Macomb County or what their role would be.
The incident comes on the same day as a separate criminal investigation involving travel expenditures. The Macomb County Sheriff's Office received a complaint regarding a trip to Washington, D.C. for a conference in which Spranger allegedly took a non-county employee, Niki Brandenburg, and paid her $650 admission with the county's credit card. Ryan says they received permission from the county's finance department.
Both investigations are ongoing.
"She is the Mother of Anarchy," said Mark Deldin, deputy executive of Macomb County. "There is just no middle ground on anything."
Ryan alleges Deldin threatened her verbally Saturday. The Macomb County Sheriff's Office confirmed a complaint was filed and the case was already closed with "no crime" was committed.
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
Nov. 9, 2017: Spranger solves long wait times by bringing in benches for customers
Nov. 21, 2017: Union files motion to hold Spranger in contempt of court
Nov. 29, 2017: Contempt of court hearing held for Spranger
Nov. 30, 2017: Spranger appears before Board of Commissioners
Nov. 30, 2017: Spranger grilled over massive backlog in her office
Dec. 11, 2017: Judge hears arguments on Spranger's firing of employees
Dec. 15, 2017: Video shows feces, clutter in house Spranger listed as residence
Jan. 2, 2018: Spranger files lawsuit against Macomb County alleging conspiracy against her
Jan. 8, 2018: Spranger puts Macomb County hiring on hold
Jan. 23, 2018: Employee says Spranger pressured her to illegally alter record
Jan. 31, 2018: Attorney for Spranger says register of deeds threatened him
Feb. 27, 2018: Spranger takes conspiracy allegations to federal court
March 13, 2018: Officials claim glitch at courts caused by Spranger maxing out credit card
March 19, 2018: Motions heard in Macomb County Clerk Karen Spranger residency hearing