County commission to seek input on removing McDonough from office

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has agreed to ask Michigan’s governor for direction on how to remove prosecutor John McDonough from office.

The issue was brought up during their meeting last week, six days after extensive discussion at their executive committee meeting.

In the end, commissioners agreed to pursue the letter despite the fact McDonough’s term expires in less than three months. He was defeated in August in his bid for re-election to a fourth, four-year term.

Board chairman Dennis Allen said the public feels the 40-year-old McDonough should no longer be paid since he has not returned to work following a drunken-driving arrest back in May.

Because McDonough is an elected official, the county board has no authority over his fate. But the board is seeking input from Whitmer or Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to determine whether to remove him from office.

Commissioner Allen Balog opposed the measure.