A judge pulls the plug on a comeback bid

*Sherine Miller will not appear on the August 4 Democratic primary ballot for Kalamazoo Township Treasurer*, after a local judge issued a permanent injunction barring her candidacy.

9th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Gary Giguere, Jr. ordered the Kalamazoo County clerk to remove Miller's name within 24 hours of the ruling on Wednesday, May 20, according to court documents and reporting from WOODTV and FOX 17.

The decision ends a weeks-long legal fight between Miller and the township board over whether she could run for the seat she vacated just months earlier.

"We appreciate the time and effort by the court to weigh in on this matter and that Judge Giguere acknowledged in his ruling that our office had acted appropriately by treating Sherine Miller's Affidavit of Identity as valid until we were presented with a judicial order," said Kalamazoo County Chief Deputy Clerk John Curran, according to WOODTV.

The separation agreement at the center of the dispute

Miller served as township treasurer for nine years before resigning on March 16 amid allegations of financial mismanagement. She left under a separation agreement that paid her $110,000 plus two years of retiree health benefits, according to Township Supervisor David Combs.

Paragraph 7 of the agreement states that Miller "shall not work for the Township in any capacity, as a volunteer or employee," according to court filings reported by WWMT.

Miller initially told reporters she saw no violation in running for the elected seat. She held a press conference on April 24 defending her candidacy.

"I'm sorry that I didn't speak when I had the chance to," Miller said at the time, according to WOODTV. "I'm sorry that I folded."

Three days later, she reversed course. Miller sent a letter to Township Clerk Lisa Mackie requesting her name be struck from the ballot, citing the separation agreement and the threat of legal action, according to WWMT.

The township board said it was too late. They authorized legal action at their Monday evening meeting, just hours after receiving Miller's withdrawal letter, according to WWMT.

What the allegations were

The dispute traces back to a series of complaints from township staff and board members. A petition sent to Governor Gretchen Whitmer and a third-party report alleged misconduct including:

  • Shredding documents
  • Failing to hire a deputy clerk
  • Waiving tax penalties
  • Transferring $4 million in township funds after being censured

Combs has said Miller was barred from moving the money because she had been censured by the board, according to FOX 17.

Miller has publicly denied every allegation. She says her actions were routine, within her discretion, and communicated to township leadership, according to FOX 17.

What happens next

With Miller off the ballot, Clara Robinson is the only Democratic candidate for treasurer. Robinson was appointed to fill the vacancy after Miller's resignation and had to vacate her trustee seat to take the role, according to WWMT.

There is currently no Republican candidate on the ballot. That means Robinson would face no opposition in the November general election, according to WOODTV. The partial term runs through November 2028.

Combs said the township will also pursue a breach of contract case against Miller following the court's injunction, according to FOX 17.

Judge Giguere's ruling also found that someone who resigns from office may not be elected to fill the vacancy they created, according to WOODTV.

"The injunction was issued immediately because the primary ballot must be finalized by June 4," the court order stated, according to WOODTV.