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If you are not ready for the TRUTH....read no further!!

The Real Documented Truth about Curt Dumas' Guilty Plea

The Truth... From Court Documents, News Reports, and SCS Police Report

Curt Dumas, former Mayor of St. Clair Shores, was hired as SCS DPW Director by City Manager Ken Podolski.
In the police report Dumas was found to be "grossly unqualified" and "over his head" with the DPW position.
(NOTE:  Mayor and City Council do not hire staff.  They only have authority to hire the City Manager & City Attorney)

City Manager Ken Podolski, according to what was uncovered while investigating Curt Dumas on the felony embezzlement charges,
was beyond incompetent in his duties as City Manager.  Mr. Podolski violated his duties as City Manager in numerous ways.
As Manager he should have given weekly/monthly reports to City Council, of any unethical staff activity.

(Councilwoman Stahl's official annual assessment of Ken Podolski's performance is available here)

There will be other references to Curt Dumas and his history of "ripping off" people
and other unethical issues that would have been addressed by City Council if they had known.

  WHO KNEW...that this was going on at City Hall?
Total disregard for the taxpayer, our City, and disgusting treatment of staff!!

1/21 HR Director informed of allegations found by Rubino (not Rubello) & Walby
1/25 Curt Dumas resigns after investigation ($19,000 with no receipts)
         In resignation letter Dumas says he will "make restitution"
 

2/2   Interview--Asst. City Manager Mike Smith
        Dumas said City Manger Ken Podolski allowed "a small slush fund"
2/3   Subpoena for Curt Dumas' bank account
        Interview--City Manager Ken Podolski (okay to keep $200 cash)
        Interview--Councilman Peter Rubino
        Interview--DPW employee Randy Hak "no employee purchases"
        Interview--DPW Asst Director Sean Houtekier
           (cash not turned in & Dumas "not qualified & was in over his head"
             not comfortable talking to Dumas, Podolski forewarned Dumas)
        Interview--retired DPW supervisor Robert Schley
            (check to cash receipts per Dumas--suspicious practice.
              Afraid to report anything to Podolski or anyone at City Hall
               Dumas "would scream, throw things and slam doors".)
2/5   Interview--Finance Director, Tim Haney.
            ("uncomfortable" with handling of money & brought to Podolski
             City Attorney advised to close account.  Water loss not addressed
             Other things Podolski not discipline Dumas for)
2/8   Interview--DPW supervisor Jim Harbison (checks prior to 2007)
2/9   Interview--councilman Kip Walby (how investigation started)
2/11 Left message for Vernon Wright, Kelly Dumas' ex-husband
        Looked into court case [$46,000 non-payment by Dumas for services]
2/12 Received several written statements from employees
        Interview--DPW secretary, Barb Jenken (cash concerns, few get along)
2/13 Interview --Vernon Wright, Kelly Dumas' ex-husband (spending concerns)
2/16 Interview--DPW workers.  "Dumas keeps cash" "won't take fall for him"
        "Dumas would scream...slam doors, and treat [Schley] poorly"
        "Dumas was over his head at the position" Treat supervisors poorly
        "strongly disliked Dumas" "Sean had own scrap metal fund -water meters"
2/18 2nd Interview--Houtekier -- had friend break down water meters
2/22 Financial analysis on Dumas' personal bank account. "Det. Eidt found
        somewhat suspicious correlations between scrap metal receipts and dates
        of deposits into Dumas' bank account" ...see her point for more info.
 

2/2   Computers/evidence seized (laptop from Kelly Dumas too)
 

2/23  Contacted Curt's current employer..Ernies Auto Parts
2/24  Subpoena of all bank accounts of Kelly, Christy, and Curt Dumas
          Podolski's [idiotic] statement regarding risk of fraud
          Interview--Jay Ford--Houtekier's friend "hired" to strip meters
3/1    Interview--Dale Verhage from Motor Pool.
         Per Dumas 2 vehicles were pulled from an auction, then took by Ernies
3/2    Talked with Ernies.  Purchased 2 vehicles that didn't sell for $100 each
3/4    Interview...Auction reserves set "very high for 2 vans that did not run"
 

3/9    Dumas interview, Attorney would not allow Dumas to answer questions
3/10  Talked to Dumas' neighbors and did not see any "suspicious" items
3/13  3rd interview--Houtekier--got [stupidly] defensive after Jay's interview
3/16   Meeting with Certified Fraud Examiner, meet at end of investigation
3/17   Interview--Truck Service owner "Curt was 'grossly unqualified'."
3/18   Subpoena for Houtekier's bank accts
           re: work on Houtekier's house by Dittman Tree Service & missing copper
3/19   Dittman's Attorney called--"Dittman will not be talking to anyone"
 

3/19    Interview with employees regarding suspicious loss of metal & copper
3/23    Dittman's background check...a felony conviction
3/24    Interview with Smith:  "Dumas treated his job 'like his own candy store' "
           Copy of 8-15-2007 DPW theft (latex gloves) police report
 

3/26    2nd Interview with Podolski--confronted with many complaints against Dumas
           Which was contrary to his earlier statement that there were no complaints
           Upset with interview and knows he's "being 'thrown under the bus' by fellow city workers"
4/2      Investigation into retirement watches purchased
           Comment that Ken wasn't very active the last few years and that he just wanted to retire
4/20    Meeting with prosecutor on the 22nd cancelled due to a trial
4/27    Interview with City Attorney Ihrie:  Legal opinion 2006 regarding use of public monies
           Notes from Dumas disciplinary hearing 1/25 Dumas, "I screw this up, this is on me"
          
           Charges forwarded to Prosecutors Office for review:
           ~  Sean Houtekier:  Warrant request for Embezzlement
           ~  Dumas:  $31,841.31 total misused funds
           ~  Dumas:  32 counts of Safe Keeping of Public Money and Willful Neglect of Duty
           ~  Dumas:  2 counts of Embezzlement by Public Officer
           ~  Podolski:  Warrant request for Willful Neglect of Duty
           ~  Mike Smith:  Safe Keeping of Public Money and Willful Neglect of Duty
 

5/4     Actual report sent to Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith:
          ~ Charges with summary of proof/evidence against Curt Dumas, DPW Director
          ~ Charges with summary of proof/evidence against Sean Houtekier, Asst. DPW Director

              (Editor's Note:  Eric Smith is friends with Curt Dumas through Ted B. Wahby)
 

5/4     Actual report sent to Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith:
          ~ Charges with summary of proof/evidence against Mike Smith, Asst. City Manager/HR
          ~ Charges with summary of proof/evidence against Ken Podolski, City Manager

                      (Editor's Note:  Why weren't Sean, Mike, or Ken charged or reprimanded? 
                         Was City Council, their "collective boss" even notified of the charges?)
 

2/1   Det. Eidt requested [by who?] to assist D/Sgt Centala regarding alleged embezzlement
        ~ Aware of missing funds on 1/21/10.
        ~ 1999 fmr City Manager Mark Wollenweber set up scrap metal, etc. account
        ~ 2006 City Attorney Ihrie issued legal opinion to discontinue account: improper/IRS
        ~ 2006 Treasurer Tim Haney sent memorandum to Department Heads re: closing accounts
        ~ No money from scrap metal were being deposited for 2008 and 2009.
        ~ List of many of Curt Dumas' violations and handwritten receipts in 2009.
        ~ Mike Smith had no knowledge of Dumas keeping $1k cash at desk, Podolski aware.
2/2   Subpoena for Dumas' bank records.
        ~ Water bill of $3,082.46 waived for Dumas' girlfriend NOTE: "Req. by DPW Director"
        ~ Dumas buys Richmond Twp. house for $408,000 in 2005 (current tax value: $191,778)
                    [Note:  Dumas cut his property taxes in half????]
        ~ Staff support reclassified to 2009 Street Revenue Fund...undetermined money
2/5   Subpoena for Air Card usage and data, signed by Judge Oster
2/8   Sikora Metal looking into who changed payment from checks to cash.
        ~ Informed Det. Eidt that Centerline is doing same investigation but caught within 2 months
        ~ Informed Det. Eidt that they keep receipts for 7 years and needs dates.
2/9   Sikora informs that Barb in DPW requested check to cash....
                 ...in September of 2006.  Barb said that Bob Schley would pick up the money.
        ~ Various dates for cash pick-ups & photo copy of license.  Last on 8/28/07
        ~ Total unaccounted cash total: $21,260.90
        ~ Learned from Houtekier that scrap metal was also taken to Mt. Clemens Recycling
        ~ Over $50.00 issued in check form but can cash the check
        ~ No record of any DPW employee...Jay Ford had many checks cashed there.
 

2/20   Review of Dumas' 2007 bank records...Wife Kelly do not sign checks
         ~ large deposits of $19k, $67k and checks to MJG Construction
         ~ Many large checks for cash Dumas writes to himself
         ~ 2008 suspicious correlation between scrap metal and deposits
2/22   Matt Triplett- channel 4 news (and SCS Planning Commission) comments re: Dumas
         ~ 1/18/10 Council packet comment from Podolski:
                "Elimination of Dumas' job was 'Design for disaster'.
2/24   SAS99 questionnaire addressing ethical questions re: fraud and improper accounting
 

2/24   Commentary regarding SAS 99 Management inquiries from years 2006-2009
          ~ Forensic audit wouldn't have revealed Dumas' fraud due to Podolski's failure to alert
          ~ Subpoena for Plant Moran and bank account signed by Judge Fratarcangeli
3/2    Strong message to Dumas' attorney Brian Legghio re: if they were cooperating or not
3/3    Conversation to Legghio and regarding "Garrity rights protection" and Dumas' "badge".
3/8    Conversation regarding tracking funds and Dumas' personnel file.
         ~ Garrity protection rights & Dumas never signed or received separation agreement.
3/16  Forensic audit of DPW to take 2-3 weeks.  Seperate from PD investigation.
         ~ Cross-checking information and put in safe guards to prevent.
         ~ Updates to sub-committee: Mike Smith, Walby, Russie, and Rubino.
         ~ Lt. Walleman & Chief Burnett told Smith not to turn over file to auditor.
         ~ City Attorney Ihrie gives legal opinion to Smith regarding auditor files.
3/23  Dittman Tree Service retained attorney who advised that no one would be interviewed.
         ~ Based on evidence received, it does not appear that any improprieties occurred.
3/24  Interview with Smith re: Podolski allowing Dumas to keep scrap metal money at DPW.
         ~ Discussion re: Garrity protection and Walby
3/27  "Nothing suspicious" in Houtekier's 1st State Bank Account
         ~ Suspicion of Smith deception.
         ~ Ken Podolski's request to speak with D/Sgt Centala re: case and Smith's numerous lies
         ~ Most recent lie was regarding Police Chief Burnett and his retirement.
4/1    Mike Smith on vacation until 4/8 (and statement only half complete)
         ~ Memo re: no more purchase of gifts, will get a proclamation instead
         ~ Receipts received for expensive gifts, unknown who authorized these expenditures
         ~ Smith told Podolski that he felt uneasy re: purchasing watches...
         ~ Podolski told make that it was part of his job....Podolski says this is a lie
4/5    Verified through AFSCME that retirement gifts were purchased using Union dollars.
         ~ "...reason they used the city account was to avoid sales tax." [??????]
         ~ Prepared charge request summation for presentation to MCPO: Embezzlement
 

2/3    Ken Podolski interview.  Working on separation agreement for Dumas for some time.
         ~ Discussion re: how everything started with Dumas investigation
         ~ Podolski didn't want County, State, or FBI involved...said "this is a case for our dept."
         ~ Mention of Ted Wahby's protection.
         ~ Discussion of DPW "slush fund" and gift process...council gifts.
         ~ Podolski says that the account never had gone over $200.
         ~ Podolski not know about any shouting matches between DPW and Police re:
                taking police cars to Richmond and city paying more for auctions.
         ~ Podolski informed that people are afraid to come to your office with this.
         ~ Comments about Wollenweber & Dumas' "iceberg" styles of handling things.(p.72)
 

  Youtube.com clips

  Curt Dumas in the News

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