Missing Dee Ann Warner’s Husband Arrested for Contempt of Court

Dale Warner is under arrest. Photo by Tracy Stengel.

Today in Lenawee County Probate Court, Judge Catherine A. Sala ordered Dale Warner and Mark Weisberg to be taken into custody of Lenawee County Jail after finding them guilty of civil contempt of court. Mr. Warner is the husband of missing Michigan mother and grandmother, Dee Ann Warner.

Dee Ann Warner was reported from her Tecumseh, Michigan farmhouse April 25, 2021. Dee’s four adult children and extended family members believe Mr. Warner is responsible for her disappearance.

The Conservator Successor, Charles Bullock, and his attorney, John Polderman filed contempt of court charges against Mr. Warner and Mr. Weisberg for failing to follow court orders to disclose paperwork regarding Dale and Dee’s multiple businesses. The Conservator is responsible for protecting Dee’s estate and claims Mr. Warner and Mr. Weisberg have repeatedly failed to produce the bank and financial records necessary to preserve Dee’s assets, despite several court orders to do so.

The attorney for the defense, Lawrence Leib, denied any wrongdoing. He said, “There has been no intent whatsoever to circumvent this court’s orders.” Leib also said, “We’ve never denied access to anything.”

Mr. Polderman scoffed at any attempt to deny Mr. Warner and Mr. Weisberg had deliberately concealed money and assets from the Conservator. Mr. Polderman gestured to the defendants and said, “This is a joke to them. It’s a game. It’s a catch-me-if-you-can.” Mr. Polderman asked the judge to incarcerate Mr. Warner and Mr. Weisberg indefinitely until they could produce the court ordered documents to the Conservator. “They hold the key to their own jail cell,” Mr. Polderman said.

Mr. Weisberg admitted on the stand that he blocked the entrance when Mr. Polderman visited the farm to review financial records – records Mr. Polderman was lawfully allowed to see.

Mr. Weisberg is an ex-con who used to be an accountant until he was found guilty of embezzlement charges. Today on the stand, he referred to himself as Mr. Warner’s consultant. He described his duties as taking care of accounting, invoicing, and helping procure documents for the conservatorship.

Mark Weisberg is under arrest. Photo by Tracy Stengel.

Mr. Polderman, vehemently asserting Mr. Warner and Mr. Weisberg should be held accountable for civil contempt of court said, “This is a two-piece puzzle – not hard to put together.”

After closing arguments, Judge Catherine A. Sala said Mr. Warner and Mr. Weisberg had, “no intention of complying unless I take action.” She ordered them both arrested until they produced the documentation that has been court ordered to turn over to the Conservator.

Gasps from Dee’s family and friends filled the courtroom as they got to their feet to watch Mr. Warner and Mr. Weisberg put into handcuffs. Mr. Warner and Mr. Weisberg remained stoic as they were led away from the courtroom in shackles.

Dee’s brother, Gregg Hardy, gave me his reaction to the arrest. “Well, it’s a first step in going forward to get justice for Dee. Finally, the spin process that Mr. Leib has been putting on is coming to an end. The judge has seen the facts and her decision is supported by all the attorneys representing my sister – all of them – which I think is important,” he said.

Dee’s family will be back in Lenawee County Probate Court on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, to continue their petition to have Dee declared dead. If the petition is granted, they plan on filing a wrongful death civil suit against Mr. Warner.

For backstory on Dee Ann Warner’s disappearance, you can start here. Join the Justice for Dee Facebook page for all the latest updates.

Do you feel Mr. Warner and Mr. Weisberg deserve to be behind bars? I’d love to read your opinions in the comments!