Police raid Dearborn City Clerk office

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Police raided the city clerk's office in Dearborn, collecting boxes of documents and other files.

The clerk, Kathy Buda, is being investigated for embezzlement.

"We were totally taken by surprise," said Laurie Ellerbrake, deputy city attorney.

Likely no one more surprised than the clerk herself, Kathy Buda.  At about 10 a.m. Wednesday a number of state cops armed with a search warrant, entered the City Clerk's office and demand various documents.

"They took mostly records, the computer, telephones," Ellerbrake said, adding she did not know what records were taken.

Buda has been the clerk for 18 years. She is in charge of issuing birth certificates, dog and other licenses, and conducting elections. 

FOX 2: "Is it unusual for a city to get a search warrant?"

"I've been here for 32 years and it is the first time a search warrant has been executed in an elected official's office," Ellerbrake said.

The clerk is independently elected by the voters and does not have anything to do with the mayor or administration.

Embezzlement usually means someone was stealing money, but just because a search warrant has been issued doesn't mean that the clerk  is guilty of a crime or that she, or anyone, will be charged will be charged. 

State Police only confirm an embezzlement investigation but no further details.