government
Oakland County leader avoids WXYZ's questions as taxpayer expenses draw scrutiny
By Heather Catallo at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News
· July 14, 2026
· 8 min read
Lyft and Uber trips that appear to be to and from bars, mileage to a private club and lots of out-of-state travel. Those are just a few of the Oakland County Commission Chairs expenses that taxpayers have paid for recently. Watch Heather Catallo's video report: Oakland County leader avoids WXYZ's...
Key takeaway I'm a huge supporter for disclosure, Dave Woodward (D-Royal Oak) told 7 Investigator Heather Catallo in August of 2025.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The scrutiny of Oakland County Commission Chair Dave Woodward's expenses raises questions about accountability in local government. As a representative of the people, Woodward's actions are a reflection of the county's commitment to transparency and responsible use of taxpayer funds. The fact that he has spent nearly $42,000 on out-of-state trips and mileage over three years, with some of those trips appearing to be personal in nature, will likely erode trust among his constituents. In a county where residents are working to recall him, Woodward's lack of transparency and evasiveness in answering questions will only fuel the fire. The impact of his actions will be closely watched by voters in Royal Oak and beyond, who will be looking for assurances that their elected officials are acting in their best interests, not just their own. Woodward's fellow commissioners will also face pressure to address the issue and ensure that the county's business is being conducted with integrity.
About this story
Original reporting by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News ·
Reading time: 8 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Lyft and Uber trips that appear to be to and from bars, mileage to a private club and lots of out-of-state travel. Those are just a few of the Oakland County Commission Chairs expenses that taxpayers have paid for recently. Watch Heather Catallo's video report: Oakland County leader avoids WXYZ's...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 14, 2026 by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Heather Catallo at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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