Transparency in Politics 2024

fact or fiction?

"None" of Candidate Henagan's "evidence supports her claim that Catherine Sala no longer resides in Addison".

FACT or FICTION. Well, this time you truly will have to Judge for Yourself! While the judge's ruling is disappointing, we stand by our position that the evidence does support the claim that Catherine Sala no longer resides in Addison. That being said, as always we must respect the ruling.

That being said, you will find the evidence, from both sides, in the link below. Some identifying information has been redacted, however that does not affect the abilty to make your own determination. So now, it is up to you, the reader, the voter, the community, those vested in justice, to decide for yourselves what to believe.

As you all clearly remember, just because the glove did NOT fit, does not mean O.J.!!

To APPEAL or NOT to APPEAL? THAT IS THE QUESTION

Click below to examine the evidence submitted by both sides

Transparency in Politics 2024

fact or fiction?

Candidate Henagan's original nominating petitions were invalidated by the Lenawee County Clerk's office for being incorrectly completed.

FACT  or FICTION. The deadline to submit nominating petitions  for 2024 was April 23rd. The Michigan election law permits a registered voter to challenge the nominating petitions of any candidate. On April 10, 2024 Tamaris was informed that an unofficial potential challenge to her original nominating petitions had been called in by phone.  An official challenge must be submitted by sworn complaint. The specific challenge was that the election date at the top of the petitions had been corrected, with the authorization of the county clerk, from November 5 (General election date) to August 6 (Primary election date).  While no one believed that an actual challenge could be successful, the only sure way to ensure that Tamaris' would remain on the ballot was to withdraw the original signatures and start a new circulation of petitions. With only 12 days remaining until the petition deadline, Tamaris decided to withdraw her initial petitions and start over. Tamaris' team was able to collect 571 signatures in only 12 days AND on top of that Tamaris was on vacation for 8 of those days.

      WAY TO GO TEAM AND SIGNERS!

Click below to examine the authorized date correction made on the original petitions. 

Transparency in Politics 2024

FACT OR FICTION?

An independent EEO investigation determined that Catherine Sala's "deliberate choices to publicly humiliate court employees...continues to erode morale and create a toxic work environment."

FACT  or FICTION. In October  2023, an incident occurred which led to a Lenawee County Court employee making and EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) complaint. Unfortunately, this was not the first complaint made against Catherine Sala' during her short term as judge.  The County asked for an independent investigation and the February 2024 outcome revealed that "the work culture is based upon whether or not you are in [Sala's] circle of friends; that Sala's conduct may "rise to a violation of the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, the Judicial Code of Conduct, a violation of the Lenawee County Anti-harassment Policy, and the Lenawee County Employee Handbook; and that experienced "staff members fear for their jobs and are actively seeking employment elsewhere."

      Click below to read the full 14 page investigative report.

Transparency in Politics 2024

fact or fiction?

Candidate Henagan was disqualified from the November 2024 ballot for criminal activity. 

FACT  or FICTION.  On May 2, 2024 Candidate Tamaris Henagan was served with a sworn complaint challenging both her original signatures and the second submission of signatures. The challenge was submitted by Casey Viegelahn, the soon-to-be brother-in-law of opposing candidate Catherine Sala, and alleged three (3) violations of the election law. First, that Candidate Tamaris Henagan had not properly withdrawn her original signatures; second, that Candidate Tamaris Henagan had fraudulently signed and submitted petitions; and third, that Candidate Tamaris Henagan was ineligible to have her name printed on the November 5th ballot because a final campaign statement from 2021 had not been submitted to the county clerks office.  The Candidate researched the issues and timely responded to the challenge. Thru her research, she found that a 2022 Michigan Court of Appeals case ruled that a 2022 judicial candidate (along with 14 others) who overlooked an old campaign fine could not have their name preprinted on the ballot.  Candidate Henagan admitted that the law applies to everyone, even judicial candidates and judges, then conceded to having her name removed from the ballot. The Lenawee County Clerk issued a letter to the State indicating that the Candidate conceded to removal and there was no need for further investigation. There was no finding of criminal activity. 

      Click below to check out all three (3) full documents:

      1. Sworn complaint of Casey Viegelahn

       2. Response of Candidate Henagan

       3. Determination Letter from Lenawee County Clerk

Transparency in Politics 2024

fact or fiction?

Catherine Sala denied having any knowledge of her own mother's ownership of Heads Cannabis in Adrian, Michigan. 

FACT  or FICTION. In 2020, while Candidate Tamaris Henagan was the City Attorney for the City of Adrian, an individual seeking a permit to operate a cannabis business sued the City and its officials. After two (2) other local judges disqualified themselves from the case, Judge Sala accepted it. Interestingly, her parents were intricately involved in the local cannabis industry.  Initially the request to disqualify Judge Sala was discussed, but later deemed unnecessary because the case was being transferred to Federal Court. The case was transferred to Federal Court, then sent back to the local court and back to Judge Sala. When the case returned, a Motion to Disqualify Judge Sala was filed. A hearing was held, and during that hearing, Judge Sala denied having any knowledge of her mother owning Heads Cannabis in Adrian, Michigan and stated that  she "had no information to support the allegation, frankly, that. . . there is anyone within a third degree of relationship to me to have more than a de minimis interest that could be substantially affected by the proceeding." She refused to allow Defendant Henagan to testify about her personal knowledge as to who owned the business, she refused to allow Defendant Henagan's Attorney to make a record to protect the client's rights, and she denied the Motion for Reconsideration ,which included the incorporation and state licensing documents bearing the name of Barbara Sala as the owner of Heads Cannabis. A Judge is held to the highest of ethical standards, and they should be the first one to hold themselves accountable.

      Click below to view the motion, evidence, and read the court            transcripts.