Elected officials in a Michigan county gave themselves bonuses with federal relief money related to the coronavirus pandemic.
The money, described as "hazard pay," included $25,000 for Jeremy Root, chairman of the Shiawassee County Board of Commissioners.Shiawassee is a mostly rural county between Lansing and Flint, with a population of 68,000. Commissioners - all Republicans - voted last week to award money to dozens of county employees.
It ranges from $25,000 for administrators to $2,000 for cleaning staff. All workers got at least $1,000.
Commissioner Marlene Webster says she didn't know she voted to reward herself and plans to return the money. Meanwhile, a resident has filed a lawsuit to try to rescind some of the bonuses.
