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Sadowski, the clerk/manager of Potterville, is among city officials named in a civil lawsuit brought by two Potterville employees, Deputy Treasurer Donna Hannahs and Treasurer Wanda Jean Darrow.

Also named in the 25-page suit were Potterville Mayor Julie Nelson and the Potterville City Council, according to an assistant county clerk.

The suit included allegations of illegal accounting practices, according to Eaton County Circuit Court records.

Sadowski who was reached on Tuesday, said that, according to his lawyers, the state police investigation found no evidence of criminal activity against him and he expects all charges will be dropped.

“My attorneys were extremely happy,” he said. “They knew I was innocent.”

As of Tuesday morning, no charges against Sadowski had been filed with the Eaton County prosecutor’s office, said Chief Assistant Prosecutor Michael Eagen.

Detective Sgt. Tom Dclercq, the state police officer in charge of the criminal investigation was in court Tuesday and could not be reached to confirm the status of the case.

Potterville, located southwest of Lansing, has a population of about 2100, compared to Lexington’s 2,400.

Detective First Lieutenant Gene Kapp of the Lansing Post said, “We were requested by the Potterville City Council to look into the allegations of criminal activity, improper accounting and possible embezzlement.”

Kapp said police were looking at the books in the clerk’s office, along with interviewing those involved who may have information.

On Feb. 10 the Lexington Village Council interviewed three finalists for the vacant post of village manager. A consensus was taken, and a conditional contract of employment offered to Sadowski, provided he meets all conditions of employment.

The conditions include an acceptable background check, agreement to the terms and conditions of the job, and an acceptable physical exam.

Lexington Mayor Elva Mills said Sadowski interviewed well and impressed the council.

The background check was completed by the Pinkerton Detective Agency, she said.

Sadowski said that he could not discuss details of the case against him, but that as a result, he and the two plaintiffs in the civil suit were relieved of their duties, leaving only a secretary in charge of the Potterville office.

“I wanted to go to Lexington because it is a more stable community financially,” he said.

Sadowski said he was told the Lexington council would meet this weekend to decide the issue of his employment.

“If I don’t get the job in Lexington, I expect to resume my duties in Potterville next week,” he said.

Mills said Lexington’s attorney told councils the village cannot not hire Sadowski over a charge he has not been convicted of. “However, if he is convicted of a felony after he is hired, he can be relieved of his duties. That is in the village charter.”

She also said that the contract offer can be withdrawn if the village council decides not to hire a full-time manager, or changes the conditions of employment.

Council members may meet this week to further discuss the process, provided a quorum is available, Mills said.

Potterville Treasurer Darrow and Deputy Treasurer Hannahs filed their lawsuit last fall.