COLDWATER (WTVB) -- The Branch County prosecutor’s office says there’s been no misconduct by any member of its staff as contended by a Coldwater School Board member. The accusation by Board Secretary Ron Smith followed the dismissal last month of embezzlement charges against a former Coldwater High School secretary, Bert Osborne.
A news release Monday from Prosecutor Terri Norris said the Osborne matter was resolved in November when there was an agreement between the parties to have her pay restitution in a set amount, one thousand dollars as it turns out, and once that had been paid back, the matter would be dismissed. That’s what happened on February 25th.
However, Smith and then school Superintendent Dr. Dale Martin said last week the school district had never agreed to the settlement and had remained steadfast against the proposed offer. Osborn, who was terminated from her job in the fall of 2007, was accused of taking up to fifteen thousand dollars from student activity accounts.
Assistant Prosecutor Mark Webb told Branch County District Court Judge Brent Weigle at the dismissal hearing that Dr. Martin had “reluctantly agreed” to the settlement. Smith said again today he never indicated any understanding of any proposed settlement. The school board, at its regular meeting on March 22nd, is expected to consider a resolution asking the state attorney general’s office to investigate Webb for alleged prosecutorial Misconduct.
