Two Leland Township residents are suing a sitting township trustee, claiming he violated the Open Meetings Act, exerted “undue influence,” failed to disclose a conflict of interest and may no longer be eligible for service due a change in residency.

John Maxwell and Greg Mielczarek filed a suit in 13th Circuit Court against Steve Scales, who was elected in 2024. The 22-page complaint alleges a “history of misconduct” with Scales as it relates to his roles in a cultural district overlay and the ongoing Youth For Christ saga.

Scales declined comment for this story. He denied all allegations in an answer to the complaint (a defendant’s first opportunity for response) filed with the court.

“My client maintains that he has not violated any laws in the state of Michigan and he’s committed to serving the residents of Leland Township,” his attorney, Matt Wojda, tells The Ticker.

The suit alleges that Scales, who also serves on the township planning commission, violated the Open Meetings Act by engaging in “undisclosed private communications and deliberations” with fellow township trustee Greg Kuntz regarding the overlay district.

“These serial, sub-quorum communications were a means of deliberating toward decisions of the Planning Commission and of the Board outside of open meetings; Michigan law prohibits the use of sub-quorum communications to accomplish what the Open Meetings Act forbids,” the suit reads.

The suit also claims that Scales had “aligned himself” with Apollos Inc., the group behind a proposed Christian youth center in Leland. Scales had several “undisclosed private meetings” with Apollos, effectively become their advocate without disclosing his ties to the public or fellow trustees and planning commissioners, the suit alleges.

“Non-public meetings with Applicants, Applicant sponsors, and Applicant attorneys are prohibited and contrary to the Planning Commission member responsibilities,” the suit reads. “The failure to disclose private sessions with Applicants in a timely and consistent manner to other Planning Commission members is a violation.”

Scales’ answer denies that he was aligned with Apollos or even met with them at all, rejecting all claims of close ties or influence. It also rejects any suggestions of impropriety regarding his communications with Kuntz as the overlay district was being discussed.

“…Such allegations are entirely untrue,” the answer reads.

The suit also calls into question whether or not Scales can continue to serve, suggesting he may no longer have a primary residence in the township.

“Defendant Scales’ recent divorce proceedings may require him to re-confirm a residential location in Leland Township, a statutory requirement to maintain his status as a Trustee,” the suit reads. “Moving out of the residence where the Trustee resided and establishing residence in a location outside Leland Township requires that the elected official be forced to vacate the seat.”

Aside from unspecified monetary damages, the suit seeks to have Scales “publicly recognize his conflict of interest, refrain from any further action related to the Application DENIAL for the SLUP currently proceeding before the ZBA, and cease and desist from all conduct that violates the Michigan Open Meetings Act…”