Richard Convertino to represent fired VBT Fire Capt. Karver

By Rosemary K. Otzman
Independent Editor
On March 10, Van Buren Township Fire Department Captain and township Fire Inspector Anthony Karver was fired and now is at the end of his appeals process.
On Monday, Plymouth attorney Richard Convertino said he is representing Karver.
“For 23 years he served the people of Van Buren Township admirably,” Convertino said of Karver, 42. “His dedication to duty is peerless.
“He was summarily dismissed with no notice under the pretext of not passing an exam,” Convertino said.
“If this isn’t resolved soon, we are looking at moving forward,” he said.
“Anthony Karver was an excellent employee in his captain’s chair doing captain’s work. He needs to be back in his chair doing his work for the citizens of Van Buren Township,” said Convertino.
Karver has been directed not to speak to the media at this point.
On Tuesday, VBT Supervisor Linda Combs said Karver’s issue came to her desk and she gave it to the township attorney. She said the township attorney is still negotiating with the union.
“I would tell you something if I could,” Supervisor Combs told the Independent.
Convertino, now in private practice, is a former federal prosecutor and the lead Assistant U.S. Attorney in the “Detroit Sleeper Cell” prosecutions. A two-part series on Convertino was broadcast by National Public Radio in 2008.