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Great Lakes Wire

Saturday, April 20, 2024

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Local Government

SCOTUS Denies Rehearing Request by Attorneys Sanctioned for Meritless Election Lawsuit

By Great Lakes Wire | Apr 18, 2024

The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected a rehearing request from Sidney Powell and several other attorneys who were sanctioned for filing a baseless challenge to the 2020 presidential election. The Supreme Court's decision comes after petitions for certiorari filed by the attorneys were denied in February.Last year, a panel of the Sixth Circuit upheld the monetary and disciplinary sanctions imposed against the attorneys by U.S. District Court Judge Linda V. Parker in August 2021. In her scathing opinion justifying the sanctions, Judge Parker expressed, "This lawsuit...

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Local Government

Official Statement - Fatal Officer-Involved Incident in Kentwood

By Great Lakes Wire | Apr 18, 2024

Yesterday, a tragic incident in Kentwood, Michigan, involving law enforcement officers resulted in the loss of a life. The Director of the Michigan State Police addressed the incident, acknowledging the impact it has had on the community and emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation."As an African American male and a father, it’s not lost on me that this is the death of another young African American male following an interaction with police," expressed the Director of the Michigan State Police. He further added, "I want to assure the community that we see you,...

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Local Government

Michigan AG Nessel Testifies in Support of BRITE Act

By Great Lakes Wire | Apr 18, 2024

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson appeared before the House Ethics and Oversight Committee to endorse the Bringing Reforms in Integrity, Transparency and Ethics (BRITE) Act. The Act aims to enhance disclosure requirements for political funds, limit the movement of legislators transitioning to lobbyists, and broaden gift disclosures for elected officials.During the hearing, Nessel emphasized the importance of closing loopholes in campaign finance laws to prevent undisclosed political influence. She warned against the...

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Local Government

Office of Highway Safety Planning urges cannabis day celebrants to plan a safe ride home

By Great Lakes Wire | Apr 18, 2024

The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) is urging cannabis enthusiasts to plan a safe ride home as the unofficial holiday of April 20, or 4/20, approaches. The OHSP, along with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), is reminding cannabis users about the dangers and illegality of driving under the influence of cannabis.OHSP director, Katie Bower, emphasized the importance of responsible decision-making, stating, "If you are impaired by drugs or alcohol, you should never get behind the wheel." Bower further advised, “Those who plan to use...

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Local Government

Former Hartford Police Chief Pleads Guilty to Drug-Related Charges

By Great Lakes Wire | Apr 18, 2024

Former Hartford Police Chief Tressa Beltran has pleaded guilty to drug-related charges in a case that has shocked the community. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that Beltran admitted to one count each of Delivery or Possession with the Intent to Deliver less than 50 Grams of a Controlled Substance and Use of a Computer to Commit a Crime.The plea deal includes a sentencing agreement that will see Beltran facing a minimum term of incarceration of 24-40 months, with a statutory maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment. The sentence for each count will run...

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Local Government

Oakland County Physician Bound Over on Insurance Fraud Charges

By Great Lakes Wire | Apr 17, 2024

LANSING – Dr. Rainna Furnari Brazil, 57, of Sylvan Lake, was bound over yesterday in the 48th District Court in Bloomfield Hills on charges stemming from an allegedly fraudulent disability insurance claim and subsequent years of receiving fraudulent payments, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. She will stand trial in the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County. Brazil, a licensed osteopathic physician, applied for and received disability insurance payments from the Unum Life Insurance Company of America. The People allege she subsequently continued working as a...

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Local Government

Former Fabius Township Supervisor Sentenced in 2010 Cold Case Sexual Assault

By Great Lakes Wire | Apr 17, 2024

Former Fabius Township Supervisor Kenneth Dwayne Linn, 58, of Three Rivers, has been sentenced to 19 to 50 years' incarceration for a sexual assault committed in 2010, as revealed by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting. Linn was found guilty of four counts of First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct by a Kalamazoo County jury in March, following a cold-case investigation led by the Kalamazoo County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) team.Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel commended the SAKI units for their work, stating,...

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Local Government

AG Nessel Announces Airline Passenger Protection Partnership with U.S. Department of Transportation

By Great Lakes Wire | Apr 16, 2024

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced a new partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) aimed at enhancing protections for airline passengers. The agreement focuses on reviewing and resolving consumer complaints against airlines and ticket agents, with a strong emphasis on upholding federal aviation consumer protection requirements.In a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Michigan Department of Attorney General and the DOT, a streamlined process for addressing consumer complaints against air travel companies has been outlined....

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Local Government

Attorney General Nessel Charges Former State House Speaker Lee Chatfield with 13 Felonies, Conducting a Criminal Enterprise

By Great Lakes Wire | Apr 16, 2024

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced 13 felony charges against former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives Lee Chatfield for alleged financial crimes. Nessel stated, "Our investigation has uncovered evidence that Lee Chatfield used various different schemes to embezzle, steal, and convert both private and public monies." The charges include Conducting a Criminal Enterprise and multiple counts of embezzlement and conspiracy to commit embezzlement.According to Nessel, Chatfield is accused of misusing political non-profit funds, state budget funds,...

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Local Government

AG Nessel Re-Issues Alert to Warn Medium and Small Business Owners That Tax Scams May Target Them

By Great Lakes Wire | Apr 15, 2024

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is re-issuing her alert, Tax Scams Targeting Small and Midsized Businesses, emphasizing the need for small business owners to be vigilant against tax scams. Nessel stated, “Criminals who perpetrate tax scams against small and midsized businesses are not only defrauding hardworking entrepreneurs but also undermining the integrity of our tax system for financial gain.”The AG outlined various tax-related scams that target small and midsized businesses, which include Business-Related W-2 Scams, Employer ID Number Scams, and IRS Imposter...

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Local Government

Court of Appeals Affirms Clergy Sexual Abuse Convictions of Neil Kalina

By Great Lakes Wire | Apr 12, 2024

LANSING– Yesterday, the Michigan Court of Appeals affirmed Neil Kalina’s two Second-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct convictions, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Kalina was charged and convicted following the Attorney General’s statewide clergy abuse investigation. Neil Kalina, 67, formerly of Shelby Township, was sentenced in July 2022 after a jury found him guilty of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old child in 1984. He was a priest at St. Kiernan Catholic Church in Shelby Township from 1982-1985. He is currently incarcerated at the Cooper Street Correctional...

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Local Government

State Agencies Collaborate to Help Protect Children from Unintentional Firearm Injuries

By Great Lakes Wire | Apr 12, 2024

Michigan State Police (MSP) and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) have joined forces to safeguard children from the dangers of unsecured firearms. The collaboration, funded by $500,000 from the FY24 MSP budget, involves the distribution of 75,000 cable-style gun locks to be made available for free at MDHHS county offices and select local health departments.In a statement, Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director, emphasized the importance of the initiative in preventing tragedies related to firearm violence. She stated, “Our department is devoted to...

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Local Government

AG Nessel Saves I&M Customers $11.2 million, Nixes Ratepayer Subsidization of Sweetheart Deal Between Utility and Affiliates

By Great Lakes Wire | Apr 12, 2024

LANSING – Yesterday, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) issued an order in Indiana Michigan Power Company’s (I&M) 2021 Power Supply Cost Recovery Reconciliation case agreeing with the Attorney General’s argument to disallow nearly $11.2 of unreasonable costs associated with a ‘sweetheart deal’ I&M entered into with its own affiliate power generators. I&M was improperly seeking to recover these costs from its customers to enrich shareholders contrary to the law. Both I&M and the power generators are owned or affiliated with American Electric Power, or AEP, and...

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Local Government

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Recognizes Michigan’s Emergency Telecommunicators

By Great Lakes Wire | Apr 11, 2024

The State 911 Committee (SNC) is honoring Michigan telecommunicators during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week from April 14-20. Ms. Joni Harvey, State 911 Administrator, highlighted the dedication and advancements made by these professionals in the past year, stating, "Our 911 professionals have provided a year of exceptional service for Michigan’s residents, visitors, and our public safety partners. It was a year of advancement with many centers adding new technology such as video, what3words, and location-based routing for wireless 911 emergency calls."...

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Local Government

AG Nessel and LARA Reissues Warnings About Imposter Scams

By Great Lakes Wire | Apr 11, 2024

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, along with Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Director Marlon I. Brown, have reiterated warnings to residents regarding imposter scams. Nessel and Brown are urging caution after reports of scam artists impersonating governmental officials have surfaced.Nessel expressed concern over the recent incidents, stating, “Unfortunately, this is yet another example of the lengths bad actors will go to scam an unsuspecting person – in this case a licensed doctor – to obtain personal information or money.” She emphasized the...

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Local Government

AG Nessel Warns Michigan Residents of New SSA Impersonation Scam

By Great Lakes Wire | Apr 10, 2024

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued a warning to residents about a new impersonation scam involving criminals posing as SSA OIG agents and demanding in-person meetings to exchange cash. Nessel emphasized the importance of staying informed and reporting any suspicious activity to protect against such scams. She praised the vigilance of the SSA OIG in helping to safeguard consumers and assured Michigan residents that the Consumer Protection Team is prepared to assist anyone targeted by these imposters.Nessel stated, “Staying informed and reporting any...

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Local Government

Attorney General Dana Nessel Supports EPA Proposed PFAS Drinking Water Standards

By Great Lakes Wire | Apr 10, 2024

LANSING – Attorney General Dana Nessel has expressed her support for the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed national standards for PFAS in drinking water. Nessel welcomed the development for national consistency in protecting Americans from these toxic "forever chemicals."Michigan, a leader in the fight against PFAS contamination, has had state-level drinking water standards in place since 2020. Nessel reiterated her commitment to upholding these protections and holding manufacturers accountable for their contribution to environmental cleanup...

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Local Government

AG Nessel Announces Appointment of Mackinac County Public Administrator

By Great Lakes Wire | Apr 10, 2024

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has appointed Erin Evashevski as Mackinac County Public Administrator. Nessel congratulated Evashevski on her appointment, stating, “Her proven track record resolving complex probate cases will be invaluable to Mackinac County.”County public administrators in Michigan have specific duties related to intestate decedent estates with no known heirs. State Public Administrator Randi M. Merchant welcomed Evashevski to the team, noting, “I am pleased to welcome County Public Administrator Evashevski as the newest member of the team of...

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Local Government

Thomas Olson Sentenced 22 to 60 Years in 2018 Bath Twp. Murder

By Great Lakes Wire | Apr 9, 2024

LANSING – Yesterday, Thomas Olson, 35, of Grand Blanc, was sentenced to 22.5 to 60 years’ incarceration for the murder of Chong Yang, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. In February, Olson was found guilty by a Clinton County jury of one count of Second-Degree Murder and one count of Felony Firearm in the 2018 shooting death of Chong Moua Yang, 68, at the Rose Lake State Park in Bath Township. Sentencing was presided over by Judge Shannon Schlegel in the 29th Circuit Court and included a consecutive two-year sentence for the firearm offense. Michigan Attorney...

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AG Nessel Announces New Midland County Public Administrator Appointment

By Great Lakes Wire | Apr 8, 2024

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced the appointment of Stephen E. Durance as the new Midland County Public Administrator. Nessel expressed her confidence in Durance, stating, “I am confident Midland County will be well served by Stephen, and congratulate him on his appointment as a County Administrator.”State Public Administrator Randi M. Merchant also welcomed Durance to the team, highlighting the importance of having a talented pool of attorneys serving as county public administrators across the state. Merchant stated, “The Department is fortunate to...