Mike Martindale

The Detroit News

Pontiac — Pontiac Mayor Deirdre Holloway Waterman is being sued for more than $30,000 for alleged damages after removing several sinks when she vacated business offices in a building in the city’s downtown in December.

Waterman, the city’s top elected official who has been an ophthalmologist in Pontiac for more than 30 years, was leasing space in the Waterman Center building at 91 N. Saginaw. The building was once owned by her late husband, District Judge William Waterman.

“I was a tenant in the building up until the time they tripled my rent,” said Waterman, who became mayor in 2013 and has been a major force for revitalizing the downtown business district. “All those things they are trying to charge me for are my property. I own them.”

The Oakland Circuit Court breach of contract lawsuit was filed by 196 Oakland Properties against Waterman Center LLC; Center DHW Enterprises and Waterman.

An attorney for 196 Oakland Properties could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Waterman had the property registered under two different names, Waterman Center and Center DHW Enterprises, between 2005 and October 2014, according to the lawsuit.

Waterman entered into leases with 196 Oakland Properties that subsequently expired in 2008 and again in 2012.

In February 2015, the lawsuit said it took a judgment for possession of the property from Waterman in Pontiac 50th District Court. Waterman moved out, but in the process allegedly removed without permission six sinks and “associated countertops and cabinets” from the offices.

Damages, including unpaid rent, late fees, court costs, lock changes and trash removal total $33,595, according to the complaint which lists the missing items as having a market value of $25,000.

The lawsuit is assigned to Judge Michael Warren.

mmartindale@detroitnews.com

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