Oakland County has now expanded water testing for Legionella bacteria to the Oakland County Circuit Court Building.

The county made the announcement Friday after the Oakland County Sheriff's Office closed its administrative building following an employee of the sheriff's office testing positive for Legionnaires' disease.

Watch Heather Catallo's video report: Oakland County expands water testing for Legionella bacteria to courthouse

According to the county spokesperson, the county did additional testing and obtained water samples from the administration building where he worked, and those samples came back positive for Legionella.

Oakland Countys top priority is the health and safety of our employees, said Health Officer Kate Guzman in a statement. There is no immediate risk to the public and we are taking all necessary steps to address the Legionella found in the building.

Legionella bacteria is usually found in water and can cause a form of pneumonia. Its not clear how long the cleanup will take or when critical sheriffs office employees can return to their headquarters.

"We're trying to put together what that plan looks like, how quickly and obviously given the critical operations there... we need to have a sense of urgency to get this building back up and running," Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. "But we're not gonna do that if it puts anybody at risk."

Watch Ruta Ulcinaite's video report: Oakland County expands water testing for Legionella bacteria to courthouse

This expansion of water testing to the courthouse is for "due diligence" after the county said a person who was not a county employee tested positive for Legionnaires' disease last April and listed the courthouse as one of the places they visited during their exposure period.

"The infection happens when we inhale small water droplets like cooling towers or air conditioners that have not been properly cleaned," Dr. Teena Chopra with the Detroit Medical Center said. "So water systems in the building have not been properly cleaned."

A county spokesperson confirmed to 7 News Detroit that the county plans to test all of the buildings on the campus. This does include the county jail, but officials say at this moment, the jail is not a building of interest in their environmental investigation.

VIDEO: Ask Dr. Nandi: What is Legionnaires' Disease?

The Oakland County Sheriffs Administration Building, known as 38E, is one of the buildings where employees are being told not to come in to work. All personnel in the building should work remotely until it is deemed safe to come back. A custodial employee who works in the building is the person who became sick with the bacteria.

"Our first concern, obviously, is our employees," Bouchard said.

Dr. Jonathan Samuels, an emergency room physician, says hes frequented the building for the past four years for a case before a probate court.

They need to test throughout all the bathrooms and drinking fountains, and really anyone whos in an older building should be concerned about using the drinking fountains, said Samuels, who we spoke with as he left the Oakland County Courthouse on Friday.

Watch Darren Cunningham's video report below: Legionella investigation expands in Oakland County

Samuels wasnt surprised to learn the health department is testing water for Legionella bacteria.

The people who really should be concerned are current or former smokers, people over 50, people with compromised immune systems. Its more common than people probably realize, Samuels said.

It's interesting that the legionella bacteria when it causes an infection without pneumonia, they actually call it Pontiac Fever after an outbreak at a Pontiac county health facility in 1968.

Employees or recent building visitors who are experiencing flu-like or pneumonia-like symptoms are urged to seek medical care and inform their provider of a possible exposure.

"If they have any symptoms of headache, because those are very early on, mild headaches... flu-like symptoms, they should go and get checked out," Chopra said. "Especially under the circumstances with one employee being confirmed, others who have symptoms should get tested right away."

The Sheriff's Office has provided the following guidance to employees:

This message is to inform all Oakland County Sheriffs Office personnel of an important health and safety matter involving Building 38E (the Sheriffs Administration Building). On Thursday evening, the Oakland County Health Department received preliminary Legionella bacteria test results from the State of Michigan for water samples taken from Building 38E. These tests were initiated after a custodial employee who works in the building was diagnosed with Legionnaires Disease. A number of the collected samples have tested positive for the presence of Legionella bacteria. Out of an abundance of caution, Building 38E will be closed on Friday, December 5, and through the weekend. This temporary closure will allow the Health Department and the Facilities Department to implement a mitigation plan in coordination with the operational needs of the Sheriffs Office. <b>Guidance for All Sheriffs Office Personnel</b> While this closure directly impacts employees assigned to 38E, any Sheriffs Office employee who has visited or worked in Building 38E recently should be aware of the situation and monitor their health accordingly. If you experience flu-like or pneumonia-like symptoms, please seek medical treatment immediately and inform your healthcare provider of a potential exposure so they can conduct appropriate testing and treatment. Additionally, please notify your immediate supervisor. Be advised The Oakland County Health Department is not equipped or capable of performing testing at this time. <b>General Information</b> Legionella bacteria are commonly found in natural and man-made water systems. While most individuals exposed do not become ill, people who are immunocompromised may be more susceptible to infection. A fact sheet with additional information is attached for your awareness. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available and as remediation efforts progress. The health and safety of our personnel remain our top priority, and we appreciate your cooperation and attentiveness as we work through this issue.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services confirmed to 7 News Detroit that they are assisting the Oakland County Health Division in this process:

"MDHHS is supporting the Oakland County Health Division with this investigation by providing epidemiology and industrial hygiene support, such as what information and specimens to collect, where water system testing should be done, review of documents such as water management plans, all in accordance with our established response protocols."

The United Auto Workers Union, which represents many county employees, released the following statement:

"The union is very concerned about its members in light of the recent legionnaires outbreak on campus. Weve begun working with the county administration to ensure that our members are working in a safe environment. The county has agreed to continue testing and remediation, and has recently communicated the situation to our membership."

Anyone with questions can call the county's Oakland Connects Helpline at 800-848-5533.

Im hoping we caught it early and we get on top of it early and they remediate it quickly and we dont have anybody else get sick. Thats best-case scenario, Bouchard said.

Oakland County is investigating a possible Legionnaires' disease outbreak. County officials confirm to the 7 Investigators that an employee has tested positive for Legionella.

Update: County expands water testing to the courthouse VIDEO: Ask Dr. Nandi: What is Legionnaires' Disease?

According to the county spokesperson, the county did additional testing and obtained water samples from the building where he worked, and those samples came back positive for Legionella.

The 7 Investigators have confirmed with multiple sources that the Oakland County Sheriffs Administration Building, known as 38E, is one of the buildings where employees are being told not to come in to work. All personnel in the building should work remotely until it is deemed safe to come back.

Employees or recent building visitors who are experiencing flu-like or pneumonia-like symptoms are urged to seek medical care and inform their provider of a possible exposure.

The Sheriff's Department has provided the following guidance to employees:

This message is to inform all Oakland County Sheriffs Office personnel of an important health and safety matter involving Building 38E (the Sheriffs Administration Building). On Thursday evening, the Oakland County Health Department received preliminary Legionella bacteria test results from the State of Michigan for water samples taken from Building 38E. These tests were initiated after a custodial employee who works in the building was diagnosed with Legionnaires Disease. A number of the collected samples have tested positive for the presence of Legionella bacteria. Out of an abundance of caution, Building 38E will be closed on Friday, December 5, and through the weekend. This temporary closure will allow the Health Department and the Facilities Department to implement a mitigation plan in coordination with the operational needs of the Sheriffs Office. <b>Guidance for All Sheriffs Office Personnel</b> While this closure directly impacts employees assigned to 38E, any Sheriffs Office employee who has visited or worked in Building 38E recently should be aware of the situation and monitor their health accordingly. If you experience flu-like or pneumonia-like symptoms, please seek medical treatment immediately and inform your healthcare provider of a potential exposure so they can conduct appropriate testing and treatment. Additionally, please notify your immediate supervisor. Be advised The Oakland County Health Department is not equipped or capable of performing testing at this time. <b>General Information</b> Legionella bacteria are commonly found in natural and man-made water systems. While most individuals exposed do not become ill, people who are immunocompromised may be more susceptible to infection. A fact sheet with additional information is attached for your awareness. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available and as remediation efforts progress. The health and safety of our personnel remain our top priority, and we appreciate your cooperation and attentiveness as we work through this issue.Stay with 7 News Detroit and WXYZ.com for more on this breaking news.

The Oakland County Sheriffs Office has disciplined one of their part-time employees who also works as an Oakland County road commissioner.

The 7 Investigators first showed you how Road Commissioner James Esshaki was accused of threatening a road commission employee on the job back in June.

Related Story: Oakland County road commissioner accused of making threats, wasting millions Oakland County road commissioner accused of making threats, wasting millions

Esshaki is also a part-time Oakland County Sheriffs marine deputy. After an independent investigation found that Esshaki violated the Road Commission workplace policy about violence in the workplace, the Oakland County Sheriffs Office announced they would investigate Esshakis off-duty conduct.

That investigation is now over. OCSO Public Information Officer Stephen Huber issued this statement to the 7 Investigators:

Even though James Esshaki was off duty during the encounter and was not acting in any capacity as a part-time marine deputy with the Oakland County Sheriffs Office, our investigation found that his conduct fell short of the high standards we require of all Sheriffs Office personnel. As a result, he received a written reprimand and was directed to undergo additional training.

Esshaki previously issued a written apology about his conduct with Road Commission of Oakland County long-time foreman Walter Mersino Jr.

The Road Commissions clerk was asked to read Esshakis apology into the record at RCOC board meeting this fall:

The entire situation was unfortunate and regrettable. Obviously, tensions were elevated. I extend a sincere public apology to Mr. Mersino. I also apologize to any other person I upset by my actions. Moving forward, it is my goal to set a new standard of civility and professionalism. For my part, I accept responsibility for any words or actions that may have been perceived as offensive or threatening. My intent is to serve the citizens of Oakland County to the best of my ability, always placing the interests of those traversing our roads at the forefront. Sincerely, James Esshaki, Road Commission for Oakland County Vice Chairman.

Even though the Road Commission of Oakland County is separate from county government, the County Board of Commissioners are the ones who appoint the Road Commissioners.

That means theyre the only ones who can remove or discipline those appointees. Under state law, a road commissioner is entitled to a hearing before removal.

Thats why back on October 16th, Oakland County Commissioner Mike Spisz (R-Oxford) introduced a resolution to hold a hearing to determine Esshakis future as a road commissioner.

With any other employee in any other organization or even within the county we'd be having discussions and hearings relative to that individual and any potential disciplinary action. Why would we treat an appointed commissioner any different? said Spisz.

But the Commissions Democratic majority caucus had already agreed to stop Commissioner Spiszs efforts to hold that hearing.

Commissioner Spisz is I think going to introduce -- he might not introduce it. I meanIm told hes going to introduce it, Oakland County Commission Chair Dave Woodward (D-Royal Oak) told his fellow caucus members moments before that October 16th meeting.

So basically, there's a resolution that may come before us to unseat Esshaki. And we're trying to see if we have any interest here of doing that? No, no, no. We're all set, Chairman, said Commissioner Angela Powell (D-Pontiac) as she polled her fellow commissioners during Democratic caucus.

They later voted down that resolution at the full board meeting, which sent the resolution to the LAGO committee where it stalled there for weeks.

Related Story: Road commissioner's alleged workplace threat back in discussion at committee meeting Road commission workers continue to speak out

After the 7 Investigators started asking why nothing had been done to hold that hearing on the road commissioners alleged threat, the resolution was suddenly added to a committee agenda for Tuesday morning, a change some commissioners applauded.

There needs to be some kind of public disclosure from both parties and the report, as to what are the events that actually took place to put, in my opinion, both parties at ease, said Commissioner Karen Joliat (R-Waterford).

On Tuesday, Esshaki told the 7 Investigators he never threatened Mersino.

The incident was witnessed by a second road commission employee. Mersino filed a police report and an incident report with the Road Commission.

All road commission employees are required to report any threats of violence, according to their work policies.

Related Story: Road commissioner facing backlash for 'threat of violence' He should be removed. Road commissioner facing backlash for threat of violence

An outside lawyer was brought in to investigate and recently issued an extensive report. After interviewing nine witnesses, attorney Heidi Hudson determined, Mr. Esshaki engaged in behavior and made comments that constituted a threat of violence, and which constituted intimidation and harassment. Hudson also wrote in her report, Many witnesses expressed concern about retaliation from Mr. Esshaki, indicating they did not know if he had the ability to interfere with their employment.

In the report that was shared with the Road Commission, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, and Oakland Countys Corporation Counsel in early September, Hudson also said, As a Road Commissioner [Esshaki] holds a position of power over Mr. Mersino. Arguably he should be held to a higher standard of behavior, but at a minimum he should follow the applicable workplace conduct policy.

Records show Esshaki declined to be interviewed for that outside investigation, with his lawyer saying he would not dignify the baseless accusations made against him and referred to the investigation into the workplace policy violation as a waste of tax-payer money!

The resolution to hold a hearing into Esshakis actions now sits with the Oakland County Economic Development Infrastructure Committee which is chaired by Commissioner Yolanda Smith Charles (D-Southfield).

I believe he should be removed. I was the one that he threatened on the job site. And where I work its no tolerance [for] violence if that happens, an employee is fired, said Mersino.

If you have a story for Heather Catallo please email her at hcatallo@wxyz.com.

Three local men facing terrorism charges consented to detention in Detroit federal court Monday morning.

Watch Heather Catallo's video report: 3 alleged terror plot suspects to remain in custody

20-year-old Mohmed Ali, his brother 19-year-old Ayob Nasser, and 20-year-old Majed Mahmoud are all charged with providing material support to ISIS and with having firearms that would be used to commit an act of terrorism.

FBI agents say they were stockpiling weapons, including AR-15 style rifles, more than 1600 rounds of ammunition, and tactical gear. Federal court records also show the suspects travelled to local gun ranges to practice with their weapons as they prepared for what federal prosecutors say was a planned mass casualty terror attack on American soil.

When the FBI raided locations in Dearborn and Inkster on Halloween, they said evidence showed the suspects repeatedly referenced pumpkin day as part of the terror attack on Halloween weekend.

PREVIOUS STORY: 2 Dearborn men charged in alleged Halloween terror plot targeting Ferndale 2 Dearborn men charged in alleged Halloween terror plot targeting Ferndale

Court records show the men had allegedly scoped out LGBTQ+ bars in Ferndale, and they also visited Cedar Point Amusement Park, leading agents to believe these were their potential targets.

PREVIOUS REPORT: 3 more men arrested in alleged Halloween terror plot, FBI investigates at Cedar Point 3 more men arrested in alleged Halloween terror plot, FBI investigates at Cedar Point

Now those three suspects will be staying behind bars after their attorneys told a federal magistrate judge Monday morning that all 3 men are consenting to detention.

Were going to waive our challenge to detention at this time, said attorney Jim Thomas, whos representing Nasser.

We do consent to detention without prejudice to raise the issue of release at a later time, said attorney William Swor, who is representing Mahmoud.

Attorney Amir Makled also told U.S. Magistrate Judge Anthony Patti that his client, Ali, will consent to detention.

The next time we see these defendants in court, it'll be for their arraignment on the indictment. They'll be indicted pretty soon. The government has telegraphed that, said Matthew Schneider, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Schneider says even though the FBI provided a lot of detail about the case in their 93-page criminal complaint, complaints expire, which means formal indictments will happen, potentially as soon as this week.

The feds have been working on this case since at least 2024, and even though the recent arrests have been happening quickly, Schneider says the whole case is about to slow down due to a Notice of Intent to use Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Information.

It's secret classified information, said Schneider. It means that they were surveilling these defendants in some ways that they haven't made known yet. They might have been using some secret surveillance types, and they haven't disclosed that publicly.

A total of 8 suspects around the country have been arrested so far, including two in New Jersey and one in Washington state.

Schneider says while it appears federal prosecutors have a lot of evidence, the defense attorneys now involved are no strangers to complex terrorism cases. Thomas, Swor, and attorney Mike Rataj were part of the high-profile Hutaree case in 2010. Thomas and Swor also defended clients in a high-profile post-9/11 terrorism case.

This is a very sophisticated prosecution, and it's going to be very difficult, and it is a big burden to overcome. It's to these defendants advantage that they have such sophisticated defense counsel who have done this before. They know the ins and outs, not only of the federal courthouse but of these particular types of charges, said Schneider.

There are two juveniles charged as well. Their cases are under seal, which means no one is allowed to talk about those cases.

Nasser, Ali, and Mahmoud were all scheduled for preliminary examinations later this month. If they are indicted, those preliminary exams will likely be cancelled, according to legal experts.

None of the defense counsel would discuss the case publicly on Monday, and friends and family of the accused suspects also declined to be interviewed as they left federal court.

If you have a story for Heather Catallo, please email her at hcatallo@wxyz.com