They spoke publicly for the first time to NewsChannel 3 and explained their side of the story.
The cases against then have been thrown out, and their names cleared. But people are upset that four Gloucester County supervisors voted earlier this month to pass on their $343,000 legal fees to taxpayers.
"I don't like it at all."
Michelle Ressler is one of the four supervisors. She points the finger at the Commonwealth's Attorney and several thousand petitioners who brought the four to court to begin with, alleging improper conduct in office.
Another one of the four, Gregory Woodard, blames the legal bill on a rush to judgment. Woodard is also a pastor. "As the man of faith I am, I'm going to forgive and allow love to cover a multitude of faultsÂ…I find that in my heart that I did nothing wrong and my actions were above reproach. Yet a lot of people disagree with that and I understand that.
Among those who strongly disagree: Gloucester County Supervisor Louise Theberge.
"We saw no bills, (and were) asked to pay."
Theberge is one of three members of the board who voted against making taxpayers foot the bill, even though state law allows for it.
"A lot of people are concerned. They feel like they've been railroaded."
This saga is far from over.
40 original petitioners have just appealed a ruling against them to pay $2,000 each to the county.
That could ultimately mean more money in legal fees passed on to taxpayers.
NewsChannel 3 has also posted the raw video of our interviews with the supervisors.
You'll hear how religion factored into this and why those board members say they feel sorry they had to pass the cost on to you.
The cases against then have been thrown out, and their names cleared. But people are upset that four Gloucester County supervisors voted earlier this month to pass on their $343,000 legal fees to taxpayers.
"I don't like it at all."
Michelle Ressler is one of the four supervisors. She points the finger at the Commonwealth's Attorney and several thousand petitioners who brought the four to court to begin with, alleging improper conduct in office.
Another one of the four, Gregory Woodard, blames the legal bill on a rush to judgment. Woodard is also a pastor. "As the man of faith I am, I'm going to forgive and allow love to cover a multitude of faultsÂ…I find that in my heart that I did nothing wrong and my actions were above reproach. Yet a lot of people disagree with that and I understand that.
Among those who strongly disagree: Gloucester County Supervisor Louise Theberge.
"We saw no bills, (and were) asked to pay."
Theberge is one of three members of the board who voted against making taxpayers foot the bill, even though state law allows for it.
"A lot of people are concerned. They feel like they've been railroaded."
This saga is far from over.
40 original petitioners have just appealed a ruling against them to pay $2,000 each to the county.
That could ultimately mean more money in legal fees passed on to taxpayers.
NewsChannel 3 has also posted the raw video of our interviews with the supervisors.
You'll hear how religion factored into this and why those board members say they feel sorry they had to pass the cost on to you.
