FENNVILLE, Mich. — — A Fennville City Commissioner is under fire after his criminal record has come to light just weeks after being appointed.
32-year-old Morgan Bolles ran unsuccessfully for the spot as a write-in candidate in the last election. He was asked to step in after another Commissioner stepped down following the election.
Mayor of Fennville Thomas Pantelleria said Friday, "Commissioner Bolles prior to being appointed had been attending several of our meetings. We meet twice a month and he had attended all of those meetings. He would take notes, we would allow him to ask questions now and then and he displayed an interest in running for office."
Mayor Pantelleria said Bolles criminal record came to light about a week after he had steeped into the spot.
According to court records, Bolles plead guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge in 2006 and served time in jail for attempted resisting or obstructing a police officer in 2015.
"I believe legally we cannot urge him to step down. He would have to feel that it was better for him to do that," Mayor Pantelleria said Friday.
Bolles was arrested in 2012 for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He was also charged in a 2013 traffic crash that left 1 person dead. According to the Secretary of State's office, Bolles does not currently have an active driver's license.
The issue will be discussed on Monday at Fennville City Hall at 7:00pm. Mayor Pantelleria says he will make a few comments before Commissioner Bolles has a chance to speak. The public is also invited to provide input.
