A trio of Oxford Township inspectors got much larger than usual paychecks for the last six months due to a computer error and have now agreed to repay all the money.
Building Inspector Jim Wilson, Electrical Inspector Dale Birch and Mechanical and Plumbing Inspector Bob Gerds were overpaid a combined total of between $100,000 and $140,000 since January 2004, according to Supervisor Bill Dunn.
According to a statement released by the township, the overpayment was the result of a ‘computer error? that ‘was not detected until June of this year.?
Building Official Mike Darling brought the matter to Supervisor Dunn’s attention at the end of June.
Dunn said a computer ‘glitch? basically kept adding the inspectors? previous months? pay amounts dating back to January to the current month’s paycheck.
‘So let’s say in May, they each received their pay for that month plus their pay amounts from January, February, March and April, all in one check,? Dunn said.
The ‘glitch? has since been corrected, the supervisor said.
At a Tuesday, July 6 special meeting the township hired an auditing firm to determine the exact amount overpaid to each inspector.
Dunn said the inspectors did not report the pay overages to the township while they were occurring, but did acknowledge they received the additional monies when inquiries were made.
‘They have each agreed to reimburse the township the amount each received in overpayment within four to six weeks, following verification of the amount of the overpayment,? according the township’s official statement.
Dunn said each inspector’s pay has been suspended until this matter is resolved. However, they are still performing inspections for the township.
When asked if the inspectors will be terminated as a result of this incident, Dunn said the board ‘hasn’t decided? what their future employment status with the township will be.
The supervisor said he’s been advised by Oakland County Sheriff’s Lt. Al Whitefield, commander of the Oxford Township substation, the three inspectors could be charged with larceny by conversion (a felony) if the township wished to press criminal charges.
Dunn said the township board has not made any decisions about whether or not to press charges.
When contacted Wilson and Gerds declined to comment at this time.
Birch did not return this reporter’s phone call.