Macomb County Clerk Karen Spranger's office given Thursday deadline to clear e-filing backlog

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – A court letter could make for a very interesting day in Macomb County. 

The letter states -- in no uncertain terms -- that the backlog in the Macomb County Clerk's Office must be taken care of on Thursday. 

Chief Judge James Biernat wrote the letter, noting a backlog of more than 2,800 e-filings and more than 1,600 criminal history reports in the Clerk's Office. 

Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit have been covering this story for some time. Rose Brookins said she has been waiting two months for a birth certificate. 

"Two months just seems ridiculous and I still don't have an answer," she said. "It's a simple request that somebody at the county building could pull this kind of information."

Clerk Karen Spranger didn't have much of an answer when asked about the backlog. 

"I can't answer that because it's on the people that take in the online ordering to do their job. Also, the situation with my supervisors not on staff," she said. 

The letter claims the backlog not only affects e-filing requests -- which are supposed to be processed the same day they are submitted and no later than 48 hours after submission -- but also is "problematic for our judges that rely on these bundles being processed timely." 

The letter from the chief judge also goes on record noting the multiple empty positions in the Clerk's Office. Spranger allegedly is declining or delaying to fill the positions. 

The letter ends with: "If you are unable to comply with the court's requirements, we will take appropriate measures to ensure the court's work is completed timely."

View the letter here:

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