Alyssa Seaver, the former treasurer of the City of Whitehall, has raised serious allegations of retaliation and civil rights violations against outgoing City Manager Scott Huebler. These claims stem from Seaver’s efforts to report financial and ethical concerns during her tenure, culminating in her resignation in June 2025 after being demoted from the treasurer position.
According to a June 25, 2025, letter sent to the city by attorney Crystal Bultje, Seaver alleges that Huebler’s actions—including fabricated performance complaints and a sudden demotion—were intended to silence her after she reported issues involving financial mismanagement, such as the reversal of nearly $40,000 in water bills against auditor recommendations and alleged falsification of budget amendment figures.
When reached for comment, Scott Huebler responded: “As a matter of policy, we do not discuss anything threatened or pending legal action. Thanks for asking.”
Timeline of Key Events (November 2024 – July 2025)
November 2024
- Alyssa Seaver, serving as the City Treasurer, reported concerns to the Whitehall City Council about City Manager Scott Huebler’s alleged improper reversal of approximately $40,000 in unbilled water charges, which auditors had advised against.
- Seaver also raised concerns about what she believed to be misuse of municipal property by Huebler.
December 12, 2024
- Following her reports, Seaver received a written reprimand from Huebler.
- The letter cited alleged performance issues, which the attorney’s letter claims were fabricated as retaliation for her whistleblowing efforts.
May 2025
- While preparing a budget amendment for city council, Seaver discovered discrepancies that she claims were due to falsified numbers by Huebler.
- On May 27, 2025, Huebler demoted Seaver from Treasurer to Assistant Treasurer, informing her that her pay would be frozen until it matched the assistant finance officer/treasurer pay range.
- That same day, Huebler reportedly tabled Seaver’s budget amendment to prevent her from reporting the discrepancies to the council.
- The city council passed a budget amendment that evening without Seaver’s version being reviewed.
June 2025
- Seaver resigned from her role as Assistant Treasurer following her demotion.
- Attorney Crystal Bultje sent a letter to the City of Whitehall on June 25, 2025, outlining claims that Huebler violated the Whistleblower’s Protection Act and other public policies. The letter also demanded preservation of all documents and records related to the case.
July 2025
- Huebler is transitioning into an advisory role in preparation for his retirement, scheduled for August 2025.
- The Whitehall City Council has approved Daniel Tavernier as the new city manager, with his official start date set for July 29, 2025.
Neutrality and Purpose of Reporting
We believe it is important for the public to be informed about developments involving local government operations. This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not intended to take sides in this dispute. We have reported the details available from public records and official communications to ensure transparency for the community.
Next Steps and Legal Outlook
The letter sent to the city indicates that Seaver is seeking to resolve the dispute through potential pre-litigation settlement discussions. It also warns that if a resolution cannot be reached, a formal lawsuit could follow. The city has been instructed to preserve all potential evidence, including emails, text messages, and other communications, in connection with the dispute.
Stay Informed with CatchMark Community
For ongoing coverage of this story and other important local news, visit CatchMark Community. Our goal is to provide accurate, balanced reporting on issues that matter to residents, ensuring transparency and awareness throughout the community.
