TRAVERSE CITY — Former Traverse City Planning Director Shawn Winter filed a lawsuit against the city in 13th Circuit Court on Sept. 28.

Winter is represented by RingsmuthWuori PLLC of Traverse City in the Whistleblowers’ Protection Act Violation lawsuit.

After nearly six years on the job, Winter was fired by the city on July 29. Winter said he was blindsided by the decision that came days after a personal leave.

Now a lawsuit claims Winter was retaliated against after reporting what he felt was fraudulent activity within City Hall.

The lawsuit states that on or about Sept. 2, 2025, City Manager Ben Marentette had “communication with a local developer regarding the ability to receive government grant funding for a lower-income housing project in the city.”

The suit goes on to say “within the communication it was clear that the developer was asking for certain information to be altered illegally, so it could qualify for the grant funding.”

In a responsive email the next day, the lawsuit claims Marentette “appeared to support the idea of inappropriately altering the information. Furthermore, he directed Plaintiff to work with the developer in that regard.”

The lawsuit states that after receipt of Marentette’s email, Winter reported that he “believed the action requested by the developer, and endorsed by Marentette, amounted to fraud. Furthermore, that he wanted no part in what appeared to be a conspiracy to commit fraud.”

Allegations also include “certain members of the city...

Read Full Story: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivgFBVV95cUxQNW92aUotb1pVQTJFcE5SQkxo...