In local government, trust is the bedrock. But what happens when the people who do business with your county — and stand to profit from your tax dollars — are writing campaign checks to the very officials who hire them?
That’s exactly the situation brewing in Eaton County, Michigan.
Records show that Richard Wagner, the Eaton County Drain Commissioner — and father of Casey Wagner, alleged bad neighbor and Michigan DOC Employee — accepted campaign contributions from Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes PLC, a law firm that regularly contracts with the county for drain-related work.
The Paper Trail
It starts in 2022, where an attorney attends the Appeals Board to discuss a Hemp Farm.
It continues with the county’s February 2024 disbursement report (see image above) shows Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes PLC receiving a payment of $8,868.50 for their legal services.
Meanwhile, campaign finance reports reveal that Stacy L. Hissong, a drain attorney at that same firm, donated $500 to Wagner’s campaign for drain commissioner this spring.
June 2025, a major transaction goes under way in Eaton County.
It’s all publicly reported, yet few residents seem aware that their drain dollars and election dollars are circulating in the same closed loop.
Richard Wagner admits to these conflicts and excuses them away. This is not his first foray into problematic records.
His campaign finance records back this up with several thousands of dollars in donations from the Spicer Group.
Contributions also came from Packaging Corporation of America, responsible for a massive EPA-involved water contamination in Manistee County that is still under cleanup today.
What’s the Problem?
On paper, this might be legal. Michigan law does allow campaign donations from businesses and individuals who do business with government, but the ethical concerns are bigger than the legal box-checking.
When a drain commissioner accepts money from an attorney whose firm gets drain contracts:
- It creates at minimum an appearance of impropriety.
- It raises fair questions about whether contract awards are truly independent or influenced by who helps fund campaigns.
- It can undermine public trust in the fairness and transparency of local government.
Who Else Benefits?
The same payment records show Spicer Group Inc., an engineering firm, received a massive $194,592.97 from the county — and one of its employees chipped in $2,100 to Wagner’s campaign.
It’s a pattern: those who rely on drain contracts help keep the commissioner in power (the commissioner keeps approving drain work) and taxpayers pick up the tab, often without even realizing who’s cutting checks to whom behind the scenes.
Why This Matters
Your drain assessments, your road work, your tax dollars, they depend on honest, transparent oversight. If we can’t trust our local officials to put the public interest ahead of political donations, we can’t trust the system.
This is about more than just a few checks; it’s about whether your local government works for you or for those who can afford to keep the right people in office.
What Can You Do?
Ask Questions: Demand that your drain commissioner publicly disclose any donations from contractors.
What Can You Do? Stronger local rules can ban or limit campaign cash from people or companies who do business with the county.
Vote Informed: Look at who funds your local officials — and who profits once they’re in office.
Drain dollars shouldn’t drown out public trust.
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