Berrien County Prosecutor confirms criminal investigation against a County Commissioner

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ST. JOSEPH, Mich – Berrien County Prosecutor Michael Sepic confirms to ABC57 News that a Berrien County Commissioner is under criminal investigation.

A civil lawsuit was filed against Commissioner Teri Sue Freehling and Drain Commissioner Christopher Quattrin by Doug Hartzler over allegations of fraud.

According to the lawsuit obtained by ABC57 Freehling and Quattrin created a “fraudulent scheme” to make hundreds of thousands of dollars of county funds by renting equipment to be used on County Drain Commission jobs.

According to the lawsuit, if true, the allegation would be a conflict of interest by both Freehling and Quattrin.

Sepic sent a statement to ABC57 confirming that a Berrien County Commissioner, which is believed to be Freehling, is under criminal investigation.

“I will confirm there is an investigation into a commissioner’s obligation for disclosure under the Contracts of Public Servants with Public Entities Act; MCL 15.321, et. Seq,” Sepic’s statement read.

According to Sepic the investigation is continuing.

Charges haven’t been filed yet and it is unknown if there will be.

Berrien County Commissioners met at the St. Joseph Lincoln Senior Center Thursday evening where Commissioners had no comment on the ongoing matter.

Teri Freehling hasn’t responded to ABC57’s request for a comment at the time of this story.   

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