Our investigation into the true causes of problems in the City of Lapeer instensifies significantly with this episode.
For the full, redacted copy of the Bodman 2 investigative report into the allegations against Mike Womack, click below.
Mike Womack, the Bodman memo, and what the city still hasn’t released
How it started
May 8, 2023 — Mike Womack sworn in as city manager (hired from Cedar Springs).
Aug. 7, 2023 — Commission meeting, 28:00 Three months in, Womack has placed himself in the center of the dais and tells the commission he has already talked to marijuana retailers, the odor rules are “ridiculous,” and he is “trying to be friendly to the marijuana businesses.” He is sending ordinance changes to planning; no vote.
Late 2023 — HR’s Ms. Russell tells him to stop commenting on employees’ clothes. She says he “went nuts,” “screamed at” her, said he can compliment women if he wants. He later admitted to Bodman he still compliments the appearance of femail subordinates.
The Genesee / John Conley deal (Fresh Water Gardens lawsuit)
2021 — Richard Swaine / Fresh Water Gardens (then Semi Grown) buys 39 & 47 W. Genesee plus a vacant lot; Planning Commission approves SLUP (July 8) and site plan (Oct. 14).
Sept. 8, 2022 — Site-plan extension.
Oct. 14, 2023 — Site plan expires. City tells them Oct. 23 they must start over.
Dec. 14, 2023 — City issues a provisional Class C grow license for Genesee.
Jan. 11, 2024 — Planning Commission denies the new SLUP.
March 8, 2024 — Fresh Water Gardens & Swaine v. City of Lapeer, 24-057247-AA.
Aug. 4, 2025 — Amended consent judgment: grower deeds Genesee to the city; city deeds two acres on John Conley Drive for $10 and vests a Class C grow there. City must use “reasonable best efforts” to sell Genesee and pay up to $50,000 to the grower from the proceeds.
July 8 & 23, 2026 — Grower’s counsel demands proof the city marketed the lots. City cites informal Lapeer Development Corp. shopping; no listing papers produced.
Aug. 28, 2026 — Motion to enforce: declare breach; pay $50k or FMV minus $50k, whichever greater, plus ~$7,500 fees.
Sept. 28, 2026 — Hearing, 40th Circuit, Hon. Michael J. Nolan, moved to McCarthy, agreed to reassign case to Judge Hodges.
The Hodge complaint and Bodman memo
April 27, 2026 — Ms. Hodge reports to HR (Ms. Bowman): favoritism toward a female employee (“Ms. Doe”), camera-watching, pranks, fear for her retirement.
Late April 2026 — Womack tells Alexandria McLean to take everything Hodge says “with a grain of salt.” McLean tells Hodge.
May 7, 2026 — Womack, still acting HR, orders Hodge into a meeting. Multiple witnesses: harsh, threatening. Waves a $21,000 retirement pay memo. Accuses her of creating a toxic workplace. Says he will not tolerate being accused of illegal/unethical/inappropriate conduct. Bodman: he should have recused. He later admitted about Hodge feeling threatened: “I can see how Ms. Hodge would see it that way.”
May 14, 2026 — McLean gets a verbal warning on her employment record for repeating the “grain of salt” line.
May 21, 2026 — Building official Hart fired three months before retirement vests; Womack ordered him escorted from building by police. File shows Womack tracked his arrivals/departures on city cameras (July 29–Sept. 9, 2025) and checked his whereabouts with Ms. Doe.
July 15, 2026 — Bodman PLC memo to the city. Findings on hostile environment mixed; retaliation and “additional retaliatory animus” are the heavy pages. Commissioners Atwood and Brady block closed session at three consecutive meetings.
Severance — About $200,000+ in value (pay, car, phone) after ~three years employment. Non-disparagement clause binds city from disclosing the report.
Closed session — Charter needs four of five. Brady and Atwood vote no three meetings in a row. Employment counsel sits through public meetings the commission never hears in private. Commission forced to decide on severance package without hearing the advice of labor counsel.
September 2026: Redacted report obtained by Lapeer First News via FOIA request. Conclusions are completely redacted.
WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO ASK THE COMMISSION TO WAIVE PRIVILEGE and release the entire, unredacted Bodman 1 and 2 reports to the public.
Womack, Brady, Atwood have an open invitation to come on our show. Email us at scott@lapeerfirst.com.
