LANSING, Mich. (WWJ) -- Former Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon will have to testify about his abrupt departure from the department in January, after the Michigan House Oversight Committee voted to subpoena him Thursday.
Gordon abruptly left his post on Jan. 22, making the announcement via Twitter. Shortly after his resignation, media reports showed Gordon received $155,000 in severance pay and signed a confidentiality agreement regarding his decision.
The committee voted 6-3 along party lines in favor of issuing the subpoena, with the three Democrats on the panel voting "no." Gordon has already agreed to testify next week.
Gordon's departure from the department came shortly after he signed an order that erased some of the COVID-19 restrictions that had been put in place by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Though the confidentiality agreement was waived after it became public, Gordon had declined multiple requests from the House Oversight Committee to testify before them, ultimately leading to the decision for the subpoena.
Committee vice chair Rep. Pat Outman, R-Six Lakes, said the decision to compel Gordon to testify is all about transparency.
"I think lack of transparency has been a huge issue for Michigan government, particularly with this administration," Outland said. "And we have a duty within our Oversight, a function of the legislature, to look into some of the transparency issues and to hold folks accountable and to get some answers. And I think we owe it to the residents of our district and the state of Michigan to do so."
Whitmer appointed Elizabeth Hertel to replace Gordon as director of MDHHS.
Gordon is scheduled to testify before the committee on April 29.
