Great Lakes Wire

A judge has approved the use of a taint team by the Attorney General to review documents seized from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). District Court Judge James Brady granted MEDC until July 11 to decide on an appeal. If no appeal is filed, the taint team will have one week to assess and log documents from a June 18 raid for any attorney-client privileged information.

Gerald Gleeson II, representing some MEDC personnel, will also have a week to review and potentially object to the names involved. Brady instructed that "nothing is dispensed or dispersed" until Gleeson has reviewed everything. He expressed hope not to see Assistant Attorney General Matthew Payok and Gleeson in court again soon.

The Attorney General's office executed search warrants at MEDC's Lansing headquarters but did not disclose reasons initially. New filings revealed the search relates to an investigation into Global Link International and CEO Fay Beydoun’s use of a $20 million state grant. The probe involves communications between Beydoun and members of Governor Whitmer’s circle.

Gleeson sought to quash the search warrant, claiming confidentiality under attorney-client privilege. The AG's response accused MEDC of obstructing the investigation, citing transcripts from a recording device used during the raid.

Linda Asciutto, an attorney for MEDC, reportedly said: “You know me, I’d rather just get arrested... This is ridiculous." Gleeson clarified that Asciutto is a witness, not a target of the investigation.

Payok contended that MEDC falsely claimed no involvement in the grant process. He cited meetings in 2021 where Beydoun discussed needing MEDC approval before creating the grant. A 2024 article detailed questionable expenditures by Beydoun using state funds.

Payok argued against returning seized materials for Gleeson to create his own log due to concerns over three boxes containing privileged material. Gleeson countered that judicial authority should determine what information is provided, emphasizing it was "our privilege."

Investigators sought digital or paper documents related to Beydoun or Global Link and electronic devices used by MEDC CEO Quentin Messer. Evidence may include emails between Beydoun and Tricia Foster, Whitmer’s chief operating officer.

The Michigan Forward Network described Tuesday’s hearing as a legal battle over a raid that led Whitmer’s staffers to hire defense attorneys. Zach Rudat criticized Democrats' handling of tax dollars, highlighting concerns over Lansing's governance under Democratic leadership.