Manistee Official Jack Garber Accused of Selling Public Property for Profit

[XLFD]

Call it Scrap-booking for Retirement?

 On April 3, 2014 Mlive's John Tunison reported that the 42-year career of Manistee's department of public works director, John "Jack" Garber, ended amid a state police investigation.  He retired on April 1.

Manistee City Manager Mitch Deisch then confirmed that the state police had begun an investigation regarding Garber's "official duties as a city employee." Deisch would say nothing further about the investigation.

A sergeant at the state police post in Cadillac confirmed that an investigation had started, but also would provide no details.

With Garber's retirement, city Utility Director Jeff Mikula assumed the lead role in the public works department while city officials review long-term organizational models.

It was revealed a week later that new charges would be pursued and that Garber would be facing two felonies and up to 10 years in prison.

Police say Garber sold city property, like scrap metal, and then didn't hand over the money to the city treasurer.  Investigators believe this went on for several years and involved less than $8,000.

Following a five-hour probable cause hearing on Wednesday, former Manistee Department of Public Works director Jack Garber was bound over to trial court on embezzlement charges.  Garber could face up to ten years in prison if he's convicted of all the charges he's facing. The case is being prosecuted by Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola, who has shown that there is enough evidence that Garber took city scrap metal funds to send Garber to trial. The trial date has yet to be set; Garber's free on bond.

Scrappy Jack Garber is Manistee's entry for Public Service Recognition Week 2014 (ending May 10), showing that he was proud to serve and proud to recycle, yet not too proud to apparently keep the proceeds for himself.

[Willy]

As far as crimes go this really is at the bottom of the barrel of importance but he should have known better. Even tho the material was scrap, he should not have pocketed the profits from it. My guess is he'll pay restitution, a fine, and be put on probation. I'm sure this has been going on for years and everybody knew about it but nobody thought it to be a problem or this may have been a payback situation. At a city I once worked for, garage workers regularly went thru the scrap bins and took what they wanted. One man's junk is another man's treasure.

[Willy]

john

I thought we were discussing the theft of junk. Your trying to connect dots that don't exist. You must be on medicine again tonight.

[Willy]

Nobody disagreed that the man committed a crime and should be punished for it and probably will but in a lot of cases involving theft the courts may give the perpetrator a chance to pay back what they have stolen as part of a more lenient sentence. Both the man and the woman will and are getting whatever the courts deem necessary as far as punishment. Both need to take responsibility for their actions. Each case is different. I might add that fantasy land is a realm more suited to your observations. That bit of wisdom is also free of charge.

[AQUAMAN]

It's Donna Hanson Brown streeter, at least get the name right. Connecting the dots to your thoughts isn't exactly interesting nor a challenge, it's a boooor! NORCO: another opioid drug that is very habit forming for pain. Your drug habits are your business, but, methinks you should find other outlets to relieve pain and anxiety. Get a life beyond the Torch, like golf, fishing, riding a bike with X, lol. Focus!