Manager found liable of paying himself too much

HIGHLAND PARK (AP) -- A jury says former Highland Park emergency financial manager Arthur Blackwell II violated his duties by paying himself $264,000. Blackwell could be on the hook for triple that amount after the jury's verdict Tuesday in a two-day civil trial. Blackwell says he told state officials that he couldn't do the job for just $1 a year. Blackwell lawyer Ben Gonek tells the Detroit Free Press his client was treated poorly by then-Gov. Jennifer Granholm and other officials. Separately, criminal charges were filed but dismissed by a judge. Blackwell actually received more than $300,000 but has repaid some of it. He says he reported the payments in quarterly reports. Assistant Attorney General Michael Murphy says finding the footnotes would require two sets of glasses. Published: Thu, Jun 9, 2011