3/20/2026

GOGEBIC COUNTY – Gogebic County Commissioner Dan Wood speaking out about his recent arrest.  Wood says he was arrested on January 28 in the parking lot of the Gogebic County Court House as he was arriving to attend a Commissioners meeting.  Wood was arraigned on February 24^th pleading not guilty to charges of embezzlement of more than $50 by a public official.  Wood has a preliminary hearing set for next Friday March 27^th.  On November 10^th Commissioners voted to censure Wood via a resolution stating that Wood Failed on multiple occasions to comply with Gogebic County policies regarding commissioner expenditures and the use of taxpayer dollars.  Along with the censure, Wood was removed from all his committee and agency appointments.  Wood now providing a statement to MIX 106.9 and OLDIES 102.9 news stating in part that he is disappointed that the county has chosen to turn this into a criminal issue.  Wood says that there was no intent to commit a crime and that these allegations against him are not what they seem to be.  He urges residents to not jump the gun and wait for further information and details regarding the case.  Wood says that county policies regarding allowable expenses at the time were vague and the entire situation has been blown out of proportion because he’s not part of the “Good ole Boys” or a part of the “In” Crowd.  He also states he has no intention of resigning.  Wood was elected to the commission in November of 2024 representing district 3 which includes parts of the city of Ironwood. Right after the election other commission members questioned whether Wood lives in the district, a requirement to be on the Commission.  County Records show the address Wood stated he lives at was sold in April of 2025.  Wood has not provided his new address.  Since the censure the board has requested Woods resignation but to this date, he still has a seat on the board. We have posted Wood’s full statement on the WUPM Facebook Page and on our websites.   

COMMISSIONER DAN WOOD:

“I am disappointed that the County has chosen to turn this into a criminal issue. There was no intent to commit a crime and there was no action to show an odd charge like “Embezzlement” was committed. Especially with a credit card issued to me.  These allegations are not what they seem to be. I urge voters not to “jump the gun” and wait for further information and details as the wheels move forward. Without even being notified ahead of time that there was even an issue, my fellow Commissioners censured me, then asked me to resign. When I refused to resign, it appeared that it was decided to “arrest” me and make the story far bigger than what it is. There was no policy in place to violate. There is much more to this story. Well, I have been censured by colleagues, I have been told to resign by colleagues and, now it appears that my Commission colleagues wanted me arrested. In fact, I was arrested right before a Board Meeting began. Isn’t that odd? Strange? Everyone must have known except me. That’s sort of sad. I will fight this spurious charge, and I will take it all the way to trial if needed. And I will not resign as Commissioner because I believe the 3rd District elected me because I was not a “good old boy” or a part of the “in” crowd.  And, that I would put a lot of effort into my District. In 2024, I worked hard on the campaign, knocked on doors, did a lot to reach out to voters and did quite a bit of advertising. The hard work paid off, and voters sent a message by electing me in November 2024 and defeating an incumbent. The voters wanted someone who was not deeply entrenched on the inside. I will continue to do the best I can to represent the people. As for now this “cloud hanging overhead” will go on for a while because it is now in the Court system. But I do believe in Justice and I do believe that the intent and the truth will ultimately win.”

- Dan Wood

Gogebic County Commissioner

District 3