Township treasurer: I feel vindicated
Published 8:57 am Friday, August 22, 2014
Niles Township Treasurer Jim Ringler said he feels vindicated after the Michigan Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed against him and the township by former township employee Stefanie Woodrick in 2012.
“It’s no fun being named in a lawsuit and definitely not right being publically investigated for what I contend are totally frivolous claims,” said Ringler in a written statement. “I thank all of you who knew better, trusted and believed in me. A person has nothing if he doesn’t have his character, integrity and credibility. It’s everything in life.”
Two years ago, Woodrick, who at the time was the township’s zoning administrator and
building official, filed a lawsuit against the township alleging that Township Treasurer Jim Ringler and Township Clerk Marge Durm-Hiatt intimidated her and made her working conditions unbearable.
In the lawsuit, Woodrick also argued that township officials denied her request for a raise in August 2011 because she reported Ringler’s alleged wrongdoing — an action that, if true, would have constituted a violation of the Whistleblower Protection Act.
A third party law firm investigated the alleged incident and found that Ringler and Durm-Hiatt had not violated township policy. The investigation took place prior to Woodrick filing the lawsuit.
Then, in 2013, Berrien County Judge John Donahue dismissed the lawsuit, essentially saying the evidence presented by Woodrick was not sufficient for any fair-minded jury to find in her favor.
Woodrick appealed Donahue’s ruling to the state’s court of appeals, which upheld Donahue’s decision in an opinion released Tuesday.
“I am pleased that all the claims levied against the township and myself by a few individuals have come to a final conclusion,” Ringler said. “I question what motivated these claims and it is vitally important to me to have Berrien Circuit Court Judge Donahue and three judges from the Michigan Appellate Court totally dismiss these baseless claims and the unwarranted reflection portrayed upon my character, integrity and credibility. It has been a long road, but the personal nature of the claims made my defense through conclusion necessary, and I feel vindicated.”
When contacted at her place of employment Thursday, Woodrick said she would call back after work. The Star did not receive a call from her before press time.