Joshua Babe of Independence Township has a lengthy criminal record.
According to Oakland County circuit court, Babe served probation for several offenses dating back to July 1998, including receiving and concealing weapons, delivery and manufacturing of marijuana, uttering and publishing, breaking and entering with intent, and receiving of stolen property more than $100.
He is serving time at Lakeland Correctional Facility on a home-invasion conviction, until at least 2010.
Until his incarceration, he worked for Independence Township, with the Department of Public Works.
The Clarkston News first learned of this in a letter to the editor written by an Independence Township resident, who asked not to be identified.
As someone with an extensive criminal record, he would not have been hired and put on township payroll if the department had first done a criminal background check, said Township Supervisor David Wagner.
“We had many difficulties with Mr. Babe,” Wagner said. “He wasn’t showing up for work, and we had many problems with him. It was a problem I inherited when I came here. He had been an employee with us several years prior to me being supervisor.”
Linda Richardson, DPW director, said Babe was a good worker, but also noted his problem with work attendance.
“This charge had nothing to do with his work here,” she said. “We did have disciplinary problems with him, yes. He was showing up to work late many times, but he was a good worker.”
Babe is not the only worker who has had disciplinary problems at the DPW.
According to Richardson, there is another worker currently in the department who has had consistent disciplinary problems.
The name and position of the worker was not released, but Richardson promised necessary actions were taken and changes were made to ensure nothing happens again. Now, every employee going through the hiring process at the DPW must go through an extensive background check, drug testing and physical examination, said Richardson.
Wagner agrees the new system was a needed step in ensuring quality work is being done within the township.
“We have a lot of good employees and you’ll always have a few bad apples,” he said. “That’s why we’re tightening our hiring process. We’re working very hard to make these changes.”
Check www.ClarkstonNews.com for updates, and next week’s edition for more details.