Search Warrant for Embezzlement Served at City Hall

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DEARBORN, MI – Michigan State Police executed a search warrant at Dearborn City Hall Wednesday for what has been characterized as an ongoing embezzlement investigation, according to media reports.

Authorities removed boxes of evidence from the office of Dearborn City Clerk Kathleen Buda, who is in her fifth term in the elected office. She has served since 1994.

Dearborn City Attorney Laurie Ellerbrake told the TV station she was “taken totally by surprise” when told state investigators showed up in the lobby around 8 a.m. The city is cooperating fully with the investigation, Ellerbrake told WWJ in a statement.

“The State Police are in charge of this investigation and we don’t have details at this point, but we are cooperating fully with them. If there is a problem, we want it to be addressed thoroughly. And if there isn’t an issue, we want to make sure that that news is understood as well,” Ellerbrake said.