UNION CITY, MI (WTVB) – The Union City Village Council will be asked Monday night to approve an executive summary that has been requested by the Michigan State Police that details the controversy involving the Michigan South Central Power Agency.
The City of Hillsdale and the Village of Union City are requesting Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel investigate what they feel were violations of the competitive bidding requirements by the Coldwater Board of Public Utilities and former Director Paul Beckhusen who is now the General Manager of the Agency.
The executive summary along with a letter from the Union City Village Council to the City of Hillsdale last month cite alleged abuses by the agency, like spending $1.6 million to purchase a building from the city of Coldwater on South Division valued at less than half the purchase price, and buying alcohol with agency funds.
Other complaints have alleged more serious legal and ethical violations, including potential Open Meetings Act (OMA) violations and nepotism.
The request to the State Police is being made since the Attorney General’s office takes referrals from state agencies.
