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Macomb County's clerk/register of deeds Karen Spranger has had a controversial start. Tanya Wildt/Detroit Free Press

Macomb County Clerk/Register of Deeds Karen Spranger in Macomb County Circuit Court on a motion in a lawsuit she filed against the county on Aug. 14, 2017.(Photo: Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press)Buy Photo

A Macomb County Circuit Court judge today recused herself from a civil lawsuit that the county clerk/register of deeds has filed against the county and its officials.

Judge Kathryn Viviano cited numerous reasons to recuse herself from Clerk/Register of Deeds Karen Spranger's lawsuit against the county, including avoiding any appearance of impropriety and that she personally has been involved in the court's e-filing project.

"In this county, there is a high level, which everyone knows,of dispute between the clerk and the county offices, including the court. There are substantial arguments and disputes going on and they have been escalating," Viviano said.

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Viviano said she can be fair and that she struggled with the decision, adding "this is a close call."

The county has filed a motion to file a counter-complaint in Spranger's lawsuit, seeking to disqualify her from office over her not living at a house in Warren that she said was her residence on an affidavit to run for office. That motion was not heard today because Viviano recused herself.

Viviano said this is"significant leave that is being requested" of the court. She said thedecision to remove someone from office is important not only for the litigants, but also for public and she said the appearance of impropriety needs to be avoided in all cases.

"I believe the judge made a very good decision," Spranger said after the hearing.

County Corporation Counsel said the case now will go to the chief judge who has denied several of Spranger's recommended appointees to the vacant deputy clerk position for reassignment. He said that could take a few days or maybe a week to reassign.

"I think it was very cautious," Schapka said of Viviano's ruling, but added that "it's a Macomb County case. This is the proper venue for the case."

Spranger has been controversial since she came into office in January, including a backlog in e-filing and a rise inemployee grievances about a hostile work environment.Spranger was fined for a county ethics violation, firedtwo deputies who are now suing her in federal court and is under investigation for lying about her residency in Warren on her affidavit of identify to run for office last year.

She invoked the Fifth Amendment and is not interviewing with sheriff's authorities investigating perjury in the residency question.

Spranger's attorney, Frank Cusumano, who on Friday asked for a change of venue in Spranger's lawsuitand the disqualification of all of the Macomb circuit judges, also believes Viviano made the correct decision to recuse herself.

Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Kathryn Viviano talks with lawyers regarding the lawsuit that county Clerk/Register of Deeds Karen Spranger filed against the county during a hearing Aug. 14, 2017.(Photo: Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press)

Viviano said that she didn't see that she had any authority to recuse the entire bench of judges, adding "I have to deny that straight up."

When asked if Spranger was qualified for the job, Cusumano said: "The voters have decided she's qualified." Spranger declined comment when she was asked the same question.

Among his arguments, Cusumano said the court is seeking to take over several efiling positions of the clerk and has petitioned to county commissioners for a change in the budget.

County commissioners soon will receive the county's proposed 2018 budget. As of last week, Spranger had not submitted proposed budgets for her offices. She is to appear before commissioners to discuss her budget Aug. 28.

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @challreporter.

Macomb County Clerk/Register of Deeds Karen Spranger and her attorney, Frank Cusumano, address the media after a hearing Aug. 14, 2017 on a lawsuit she has filed against the county.(Photo: Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press)

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Judge recuses herself from Karen Spranger's lawsuit against Macomb County - Detroit Free Press