Royal Oak Commissioner/County Commission Candidate Kim Gibbs Caught Stealing
(Crystal Proxmire, May 6, 2020)
Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak City Commissioner and Republican County Commission candidate Kim Gibbs was ticketed Wednesday at the Royal Oak Meijer location after paying for only part of her grocery order at a self-check-out station.
Gibbs admitted to the theft and released a statement to various media outlets stating:
I would like to apologize to my family, friends and especially my constituents for my substantial lapse in judgement on Wednesday, May 6. A combination of many external factors led to me taking items from the Meijer store without paying for all of them. The economic impact of the COVID-19 statewide lockdown has taken a serious toll on me personally.
I obviously was not thinking clearly, and I take full responsibility for my actions. Recently, I had to choose between insulin and food, and I chose the insulin, which helps me stay alive; however, that left extraordinarily little money for food after paying for medical insurance and insulin.
Thanks to the support of family and friends, I am now being treated by medical professionals for these issues and my Type 1 diabetes and I look forward to getting back to normal.
I deeply regret any issue, or concern, this has caused for my supporters. I have realized, as I have been told by friends, that I need, and am seeking help. I know that my opponent in November and the City Commission will turn this incident into more partisan politics, however kicking people when they are down should not be condoned by anyone.
Michiganders, and people around the country, are suffering with the economic and personal pain COVID has brought to every one of us. We need now, more than ever, to stand together as Americans and get back working so others do not face the same health consequences I am facing.”
The Commissioner was wearing a face mask while shopping, confirmed Chief Corrigan O’Donohue. “Ms. Gibbs was issued a misdemeanor violation for Retail Fraud III and released at the scene. ”
Gibbs was recently in the news after attending “Operation Gridlock,” a protest in Lansing denouncing the Governor’s orders in place to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Standing out in a red jacket, she had been seen in news reports and photographs standing close to others and not wearing a face mask during the protest. Gibbs’ actions prompted a censure by the City Commission. Gibbs contends the censure is political in nature, because her conservative views clash with the majority on the commission. Commissioners’ concerns included the medical risks for not just herself but others in the community, as well as violating Governor’s orders.
Information around the COVID-19 outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.