West Bloomfield Township Trustee Jibran “Jim” Manna has resigned, two months after his arrest in a hidden-camera investigation that led to seven felony charges.
The six remaining Board of Trustees members voted unanimously Oct. 7 to accept his resignation, C&G Newspapers reported. Manna was absent.
His attorney, Mitchell Ribitwer, submitted the resignation Sept. 30. Manna said he was stepping down to prevent his pending legal matters from distracting from township business, according to C&G. He also said the resignation should not be interpreted as an admission concerning the case.
Manna had served on the board since 2016 and had not attended its meetings since his Aug. 9 arrest, the newspaper reported.
He faces two counts of capturing an image of an unclothed person and five counts of installing a device for eavesdropping, according to WXYZ’s coverage.
Prosecutors said two women discovered surveillance cameras concealed in smoke detectors in their bedrooms. Township police referred the investigation to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office to avoid a potential conflict of interest involving a sitting township official, WXYZ reported.
Manna was arraigned Aug. 14 and released on a $100,000 personal bond, according to WXYZ. The charges are accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Board has 45 days to fill the seat
The board has 45 days to appoint a successor, Civic Center TV reported. The appointee would complete Manna’s term, which ends Dec. 1, 2028.
Under Michigan law, if the vacancy remains unfilled after 45 days, the county clerk must call a special election within five calendar days.
At the Oct. 7 meeting, Treasurer Teri Weingarden emphasized the need for a full board and a successor able to attend meetings, C&G reported.
Trustee Vincent Kirkwood addressed concerns about representation of the township’s Chaldean community. Trustee Diane Rosenfeld Swimmer and Clerk Debbie Binder also emphasized their responsibility to serve residents across the township’s diverse communities.
