11/9/12 - A Brighton-area businessman who had been facing felony criminal charges, jail time and the possibility of having to resign his seat on the Brighton school board, has instead paid a $200 fine and ended the case against him. John Conely was originally charged last year with felonious assault and reckless driving following a dispute centered around the repossession of a 2009 Chevy Avalanche on August 26th, 2011 from the lot of his Genoa Township auto dealership. Conely, who also serves as a trustee on the Brighton Area schools Board of Education, was accused of intentionally ramming the tow truck sent by Shaheen Chevrolet of Lansing to take back the vehicle. But in court today, he pleaded guilty to a traffic offense of drag racing in exchange for prosecutors dismissing the felony counts. The case has been through numerous court hearings with allegations made by Conelyâs attorney that State Police had altered evidence in the case, a charge officials staunchly denied. Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Michael Hatty had also previously ordered that the defense be provided copies of the state police investigation and interrogation reports, along with photos and any audio, video or computer communications between the Brighton Post and State Police patrol cars from the incident. But todayâs plea deal ends the legal case against Conely, who would likely have been forced to resign from the school board if convicted of a felony charge. (JK)
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