West Bloomfield Township Trustee Jibran "Jim" Manna is accused of installing hidden cameras to spy on women in their bedrooms.
“This was an appalling invasion of privacy,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in a statement. “The defendant’s alleged actions exploited his victims in spaces where they expected to feel safest and most private.”
Manna, a 65-year-old Democrat, faces two counts of capturing an image of an unclothed person and five counts of installing a device for eavesdropping. The charges are felonies with maximum penalties of up to five years in prison.
Manna has been held at the Oakland County Jail since just before midnight Sunday, Aug. 9.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the allegations were initially
made to West Bloomfield Police, who turned the case over to the sheriff's office.
McDonald said Manna covertly placed cameras in the smoke detectors in the women's bedrooms to spy on them.
"During a search of the defendant's home, office, and cell phone, officers recovered additional cameras," McDonald said. "The defendant’s cell phone contained nude surveillance videos from the victims’ bedrooms and bathrooms."
Manna is a licensed Realtor who was first elected to the township board in November 2016.
West Bloomfield Township Supervisor Jonathan Warshay said in a statement that he was aware of the arrest, but didn't have details.
"I encourage everyone to respect our judicial process and remember the fundamental principle that every individual is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law,' Warshay said. "Township business will continue as usual while our focus remains on serving those who live, work and visit West Bloomfield."
In 2001, Manna was charged in Farmington Hills with home invasion and domestic violence. His ex-wife testified at a preliminary exam in district court that he forced his way into her home and grabbed her by the throat and the arm during an argument.
The case ended before a trial, and the court records don't indicate why.
Contact John Wisely: jwisely@freepress.com. On X: @jwisely
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Why a West Bloomfield trustee is facing felony charges for spying
