Grand Blanc View

Gleason takes plea deal, resigns as county clerk




GENESEE COUNTY—Genesee County Clerk John Gleason has agreed to step down from office after pleading guilty to one count of violating the state’s Marriage Act.

Gleason, who admitted to performing a marriage for a couple without a license, made the plea deal in a Livingston County courtroom on Tuesday afternoon.

In exchange for Gleason’s plea, charges of bribing or intimidating witnesses and willful neglect of duty were dropped against him.

Violation of the Marriage Act is a misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail.

Along with his resignation as county clerk and register of deeds, Gleason has agreed to no longer seek any public office.

Following the announcement of Gleason’s plea deal, Genesee County Board Chairman Domonique Clemons said that the Secretary of State’s Office will resume assisting the county going into the November election.

He also said operations will continue without interruption at the county clerk and register of deed’s offices.

“Residents can be confident that their information is safe and secure, and that the office will continue to operate as normal, both at the clerk’s office and our register of deeds office,” he said. “I have full faith in the work they have done and the work they will continue to do.

“Today sends a strong message that any unethical behavior will not be accepted in Genesee County and that elected officials in Genesee County will be held to a high standard that the public expects,” Clemons added.

According to Clemons, the vacancy left by Gleason’s resignation will be filled by the Genesee County Circuit Court in “a manner and time of their choosing.”

In April, Gleason was accused of conducting a marriage outside his jurisdiction in Shiawassee County in 2019 and intimidating members of his staff to alter documents related to the incident. He was arrested on April 8 and lodged at the Genesee County Jail before being released on a personal recognizance bond.

According to reports, Gleason conducted the marriage for a couple that wanted to be married just before giving birth to their child at Memorial Healthcare in Owosso.

The Shiawassee County clerk said she gave verbal consent for the wedding, but no written permission or official marriage license was issued.

Gleason reportedly said he asked officials in Shiawassee County to validate the marriage about a month later. When they refused, he asked his own staff to validate the wedding and back date the forms.

Employees in the clerk’s office at that time reported to Genesee County human resources they were intimidated by Gleason to backdate the paperwork to make it valid.

Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton recused himself to avoid any kind of conflict of interest involving Gleason and turned the case over to Tuscola County Prosecutor Mark Reene.

Gleason was also instructed to refrain from any election-related duties after charges were issued in April.

Gleason, who served as county clerk and register of deeds since 2013, was previously a member of the Michigan Senate from 2009 through 2012 and in the State House from 2003 through 2006. Before his election to the Legislature, he served on the Genesee County Board of Commissioners.

County officials are expected to release more information on the circumstances surrounding Gleason’s case next Tuesday.

Deputy Clerk Leslie Raleigh will continue in the role of acting clerk until the court decides on a replacement to finish Gleason’s term.