UPDATE: Fouts has issued a press release about the alleged affair and the pay raise for the secretary.
A bombshell video has surfaced that could create all
kinds of new political problems for Warren Mayor Jim Fouts.
shows 71-year-old Fouts carousing in Chicago with his 27-year-old executive assistant,
Amanda Mika. Two hours after they checked into an executive suite at a posh
hotel, The Drake, they are seen on the videotape having dinner together, walking
hand-in-hand, walking arm-in-arm down Michigan Avenue, and posing together in a
photo booth, according to the video.
Motor City Muckraker broke the story after receiving a
copy of the tape. The Muckraker website’s Steve Neavling, a former Free
Press reporter, frames the issue this way:
when Fouts gave his secretary, Amanda Mika, an 11 percent pay raise while
cutting employee health care options.
top mayoral aide, Gus (Ganham), hired a private investigator to follow Fouts’
opponents.
video boasts.”
a devastating hit piece that uses subtitles, provides cutaways to newspaper
clippings, and features a snarky choice of background music — “Private Eyes”
by Hall and Oates and “Chicago (That Toddlin’ Town)” by the mayor’s favorite,
Frank Sinatra.
The title of this footage: “Citizens Turn Tables on Spying Government.”
The video, which was shot in November 2012, was clearly
put together by the mayor’s political enemies and then set aside for just the
right moment.
behavior:
implies that he and Mika departed for Chicago on a Friday afternoon. They
arrived in Fouts’ car, a Dodge Charger.
he is seen on tape drinking a beer.
the Warren City Council last February eyed a new ethics code that would prevent
“fraternization” among city officials and employees. But that proposed ordinance fizzled out.
mayor expressed outrage and offered a $5,000 reward for anyone with information
about those responsible for the “lies.”
The video ends with this message: “More to come …”
Mayor Fouts has issued a lengthy press release that denies the $5,000 raise given to his secretary was unethical. He dodges the video’s basic assertion — that he is dating a subordinate — and he emphasizes that the secretary/apparent girlfriend, Amanda Mika (whom he never names), was given the 11 percent hike based on her numerous duties.
The mayor also argues that a November 2012 trip to Chicago could not have influenced his decision to give his assistant a raise 13 months later.
“To accuse me of giving a raise to any city employee because of a trip we took smacks of dirty politics and personal political mudslinging at its lowest,” he said.
The mayor, who has become infamous for his foul-mouthed outbursts, ended the release this way:
“I hope this satisfies any media inquiries, and I will not be interviewed on this issue by the media because it will only distract me from my full-time job responsibilities …” He then added that any media reports that connect Mika’s raise and the Chicago trip “could have legal consequences.”
I love it, sooner or later the rest of the citizens of Warren will see what a hypocrite and disgrace this man is to the office of the mayor and he will leave the position.
Must be nice to get a big raise, I've been a loyal city employee for 15 years. I too have been taking on extra duties at work and have only received a 2.25% raise over the last six years.
I just can't believe that the young secretary would sleep with Fouts for any amount of money. He's so old and gross. It would have to be in the millions. What do her friends say? I would be so embarrassed!
I love how Fouts was crying about being a victim of his political enemies. Such a hypocrite. Has he forgotten so quickly all the dirty tricks that he pulled over the years?
I find the whole thing to be disgusting, sleeping with the mayor to get perks and raises! They should both be fired!