TROY, Mich. – Political infighting in Troy has the attention of the Oakland County Sheriff's Office as a petition drive to stop a major development raised eyebrows in the city clerk's office.
A Troy park is at the center of town is the heart of the controversy. The 100 acres could very well be among the most valuable in the entire Midwest. The question has become what to do with it, and it has led to the circulation of a petition and a criminal investigation.
The Troy City Council thinks developing the park is the city's future, so it released pictures of their big dreams. But a group of Troy seniors, three of them former City Council members and a mayor -- circulated a petition that would force a citywide vote to approve the sale of any land parcels over two acres.
They needed roughly 2,200 signatures and turned in nearly 4,000. They got city approval for a November ballot question, but Mayor Dane Slater said hold on.
"There are some irregularities that were determined that possibly could be criminal, so they contacted the authorities," Slater said.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office confirms its special investigative unit is looking into the clerk's concerns.
Save the Choice Civic Center spokesman Brian Wattles couldn't believe his ears at the news.
"We knew that they were opposed to our petition, but we didn't think they'd consider it a criminal act," Wattles said. "So we are surprised."
You can watch Rod Meloni's full story in the video posted above.