The Warren City Council has approved launching an investigation into Mayor Jim Fouts hiring of a political consultant to a full-time post, alleging he didn't inform them as required and claiming the new hire could violate state law and city charter. Republican consultant Jamie Roe has been on the city payroll as a full-time clerical technician since last year without the mayor formally notified council as the city charter mandates, said Council Secretary Mindy Moore during a special council meeting Tuesday night. The council alleges Roe, who has worked for officeholders including Candice Miller, Macomb County Public Works commissioner, was secretly appointed; collected city paychecks while earning thousands of dollars managing political campaigns; and launched a political consulting company as well as generated more than 100 social media posts while working on city time.