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Deputy Michael Harvey charged with domestic violence [May 13, 2006]:
"...Harvey was observed drinking...prior to his scheduled 4 a.m. shift...drove that night to Bellaire, where he was confronted by another Antrim deputy and made to take a preliminary breath test....Harvey blew a 0.16....Harvey received a single-day suspension without pay for the drinking incident..."
Accused deputy's personnel file shows recent problemsTraverse City Record Eagle, MI
By CRAIG McCOOL
06/23/2006
http://www.record-eagle.com/2006/jun/23harvey.htm
BELLAIRE — An Antrim County sheriff's deputy who faces assault and weapons charges seemed a model employee for most of his six years with the department.
Until this year, Michael Harvey, who allegedly threatened to kill his wife with his service gun while on duty in May, received raises and promotions. From the time he was hired in 2000 through the end of 2005, Harvey did not receive a disciplinary letter or citation.
But this February, the deputy with the squeaky-clean record was disciplined twice, including once for drinking heavily the night before he was to work an early shift.
The Record-Eagle obtained a copy of Harvey's personnel file through a state Freedom of Information Act request.
Harvey, 34, was hired in 2000. Between then and the start of this year, he was promoted from the jail to various road patrol assignments.
Shortly after his promotion to the road, a citizen sent a letter to Sheriff Terry Johnson noting Harvey's kindness and "dedication to the community."
Accolades came from superiors, too, but disciplinary warnings began early this year. The first occurred Feb. 21, when Harvey argued with a woman in the county's 911 dispatch area.
Other county employees witnessed the incident and called Michigan State Police, who investigated but did not seek charges. Johnson issued Harvey a warning.
Another incident occurred two days later. On Feb. 23, Harvey was observed drinking in Central Lake, prior to his scheduled 4 a.m. shift.
Johnson wrote that Harvey drove that night to Bellaire, where he was confronted by another Antrim deputy and made to take a preliminary breath test.
Harvey blew a 0.169, more than double the legal driving limit, though the letter addressed no specific concern about drinking and driving.
"In the report it states that you felt you would have been OK to go to work" at 4 a.m., Johnson wrote. "I find this to be a ridiculous statement."
Harvey received a single-day suspension without pay for the drinking incident.
Harvey has been suspended without pay following his arrest May 14.
He faces two felonious assault charges, punishable by up to four years in prison. Prosecutors also recently added a third charge, using a firearm in the commission of a felony, punishable by up to two years in prison, said Harvey's attorney Douglas Gutscher.
