ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Wednesday, present and past members of the Delta Conservation District appeared in small claims court over a long-running dispute.
Former CEO Rory Mattson is suing the district for $4,000. The case centers around a $6,000 dump trailer, purchased jointly by the Delta Conservation District, the Delta County Parks, and Mattson in 2016. During that time, the Conservation District and County were working together to maintain county parks.
Each party was responsible for $2,000. Mattson claims he paid his initial share, plus $2,000 to purchase the trailer himself in 2022, when the Conservation District and County parted ways.
However, Conservation District Board member Joe Kaplan says there is “no evidence” of Mattson’s initial buy-in.
“In 2015, there was a credit towards a bonus,” Kaplan told WZMQ 19. “That’s just not supported by the actions of the board in 2015, by the testimony, and certainly not by the entries into the accounting from the district, which we have access to all.”
Mattson called four witnesses to testify, while Kaplan called two. Witnesses included former County Board of Commissioners member David Moyle and Conservation District Board Treasurer Mike Segorski.
After approximately six hours, the judge adjourned the courtroom to review all evidence presented. He will be contacting Mattson and the Conservation District when he is ready to make a decision.
