Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel appeared on this week’s episode of Flashpoint to provide an in-depth look at several major cases her office is handling, including the ongoing investigation into the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and former board member Fay Beydoun, as well as her office’s numerous lawsuits against the Trump administration.
Nessel spoke at length about the recent raids conducted on MEDC offices and the home of Fay Beydoun, who previously served on the MEDC board.
The investigation centers around a $20 million earmark Beydoun received in a recent state budget.
Beydoun’s appointment to the board by Governor Gretchen Whitmer has led to questions about whether the governor is a target of the investigation.
“The governor is not a target of this investigation,” Nessel said. “But we are deeply concerned about what we’re seeing from the MEDC.”
Nessell added, “I routinely investigate individuals whether they are democrats, whether they’re republicans, whether they’re non-partisan when it comes to this kind of alleged criminal behavior.”
The Attorney General also addressed criticism regarding the 29 lawsuits her office has filed against the administration of former President Donald Trump.
Some critics have accused Nessel of using her office to pursue political vendettas, but she pushed back against these claims.
“I think if people are saying that it’s because they don’t know the nature of these lawsuits,” Nessel said.
She also touched on the current status of the Line 5 pipeline, saying a case is still pending in the Ingham County Circuit Court.
“The one thing I will give Enbridge credit for, I don’t give them credit for trying to protect the Great Lakes or caring much about the safety [or] economic security of the state of Michigan, but I will give them credit for their stalling tactics,” she said.
The AG also addressed speculation about her own political future, emphasizing her commitment to her current role and stating she is not ready to make any decisions.