Genesee County Clerk Directed to Avoid Election Activities

The Genesee County Clerk has been directed by the Michigan Bureau of Elections to avoid all election activities until further notice while criminal charges against him are pending.

Clerk John Gleason is accused of witness bribing, intimidating or interfering, plus willful neglect of duty. The charges follow a two year investigation into Gleason by the Tuscola County Prosecutors office, which was appointed by the Michigan Attorney General’s office after Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton recused himself from the case.

The Bureau instead says the county’s chief deputy clerk should be responsible for election duties until further notice. Bureau Director Jonathan Brater states in a letter to Gleason that his actions “fundamentally undermine voter confidence” in Genesee County’s election integrity.