Written By Jameca Patrick-Singleton
Genesee County Clerk John Gleason has agreed to resign from his post as a part of a plea agreement. Gleason was charged with criminally bribing or intimidating a witness, willful neglect of duties and marrying a couple without a license.
The charges stemmed from a wedding that Gleason admits to performing in 2019 and subsequent complaints from county staff that Gleason was pressuring them to backdate a marriage license. The only charge that Gleason plead guilty to was performing the wedding without a license.
In addition to leaving his position as county clerk, the plea deal requirements include Gleason agreeing to not seek local or county office again, one year of (non-reporting) probation and a no-contact order for several county employees named in court records.
Gleason’s resignation will be effective on November 2, 2022, less than a week before the November 8, 2022 mid-term election. The county commissioners feel confident that the timing of the resignation will not impact the election process.
“We know that our election is secure,” said Dominique Clemons, chair of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners.
Clemons also stated that the board is of the understanding that the law requires the county clerk vacancy will be filled by the Circuit Court.
