AG Nessel ready to defend, help clarify Michigan’s new abortion right
In one vote, Michigan abortion rights went from a possible 90-year-old ban to now a constitutional guarantee. But how does this new “fundamental right” thanks to Proposal 3 affect abortion restrictions that have been on the books? Michigan AG Dana Nessel is already playing a role in actualizing this constitutional right, she said last week during a press event hosted by the Democratic Attorney Generals Association. “We’ve already gotten inquiries from the governor’s office, from the legislature,” Nessel said in response to an MLive question. She did, however, note that some interfering laws on the books will be repealed, like the abortion ban from 1931 that the new constitutional right overrules.
mlive.comTrump’s Efforts to Hide Cash From NY AG Shot Down in Court
Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty ImagesDonald Trump’s desperate attempts to escape the wrath of the New York Attorney General were halted Thursday, when a state judge there took the remarkable step of putting the former president’s company under court supervision—and preventing the billionaire from quietly shifting his money to avoid paying millions in fines.Justice Arthur F. Engoron intervened at the AG’s request, ordering the appointment of an independent monitor to ensure that the company can’t se
news.yahoo.comProsecutors plan to appeal judge’s decision to dismiss Flint water criminal cases
FLINT, MI – Prosecutors in the criminal cases stemming from the Flint Water Crisis announced this week that they intend to appeal a Genesee County Circuit Court judge’s decision to dismiss charges against seven defendants. Rick Snyder, are invalid following a Michigan Supreme Court ruling. Remanding these cases for preliminary exam is the next logical step in the legal process based on the ruling from the Michigan Supreme Court. Kelly’s ruling did not address misdemeanor criminal charges related to the water crisis that Snyder and Howard Croft, Flint’s former Department of Public Works director, are facing in Genesee District Court. “The prosecution is ready to present their case and looks forward to seeing the people of Flint have their day in Court.”Read more at The Flint Journal:Flint residents ‘disappointed and angry’ after dismissal of criminal water chargesSnyder attorneys want dismissal of his Flint water criminal charges tooJudge had no power to indict in Flint water crisis cases, Michigan Supreme Court rules
mlive.comBill Barr Blows Up Every Trumpy Defense of the Mar-a-Lago Docs in Brutal Fox News Interview
Fox NewsBill Barr, the one-time attorney general under former President Donald Trump, told Fox News on Friday that the ex-president had no “legitimate reason” to hoard classified material at his Florida resort. Furthermore, he defended the Justice Department’s decision to raid Mar-a-Lago, arguing that the DOJ was “being jerked around” by Team Trump.As a federal judge decides whether or not to grant Trump’s request for a “special master” to review the documents seized from his property last month
news.yahoo.comDecision on whether to charge MSP trooper caught on video punching Saginaw man still in limbo
SAGINAW, MI — Months after a Michigan State Police trooper was recorded repeatedly punching a Saginaw man in his face during a traffic stop-turned-arrest, it remains unclear if the trooper will face criminal charges. Video footage recorded by civilians standing nearby showed MSP troopers and Saginaw police officers trying to get Martin, his wrists cuffed behind his back, into the back of a patrol vehicle. Troopers wrote Martin at one point put his right leg between a trooper’s legs and lightly struck his groin. A request for video footage recorded by two Saginaw police officers’ body-worn cameras was denied. Read more:Decision on whether to charge trooper who punched Saginaw man in face rests with Attorney GeneralVideo footage shows handcuffed Saginaw man repeatedly punched by Michigan State Police trooperInvestigation underway after handcuffed Saginaw man repeatedly punched by State Police trooper during arrest
mlive.comMichigan judge blocks prosecutors from enforcing abortion ban
A Michigan judge approved a temporary restraining order that blocks prosecutors from enforcing the state’s 1931 abortion ban, according to a news release from the Michigan Attorney General’s Office. Oakland County Judge James J. Cunningham issued the temporary restraining order Monday, Aug. 1, the AG’s office said. It prohibits local county prosecutors from criminally prosecuting abortion in Michigan while the order is pending, the AG’s office said. The Michigan Department of Attorney General filed a motion for a temporary restraining order on Monday after the Michigan Court of Appeals issued a ruling that Michigan’s local county prosecutors are not bound by an injunction issued by Judge Elizabeth Gleicher in May, the AG’s office said. Related: Abortion ban injunction to stay but prosecutors can enforce, appeals court says“The legal fight in Michigan continues and this temporary restraining order ensures prosecutors cannot target women or providers in the short-term,” Nessel said.
mlive.comMichigan prosecutor takes new approach to police shootings. Not everyone’s on board.
Ingham County Prosecutor Carol A. Siemon is one of the first in Michigan to try a new approach. A former assistant prosecutor in Wayne County, Nessel said she’s seen first hand the relationship between police and prosecutors. Employees in county prosecutor offices frequently work with or will work with officers they are investigating, Nessel said in April. The teen survived and Ionia County Prosecutor Kyle B. Butler deferred the criminal review to Nessel. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy doesn’t think taking the decision away from county prosecutors is the answer.
mlive.comJudge Says Real Estate Giant Broke Rules for Trump
Drew AngererA New York judge has determined that Cushman & Wakefield, one of the world’s largest real estate firms, broke its own rules to appease the Trump Organization and the former American president’s chronic practice of inflating the value of his properties.Judge Arthur F. Engoron’s surprising assertions were included in his court order on Wednesday, in which he formally directed Cushman & Wakefield to turn over documents to the New York attorney general’s office.New York attorney general
news.yahoo.comNew York AG Asks Judge to Fine Trump $10K a Day
Scott OlsonNew York’s attorney general formally asked a judge on Thursday to hold former President Donald Trump “in contempt of court” and subject him to a $10,000 daily fine for his refusal to turn over evidence, even after he was ordered to by a state judge.Trump would be subject to the proposed fine every day he does not turn over evidence he’s already been ordered to deliver.Trump and his family corporate empire are under attack by AG Letitia James, whose probe into the company’s alleged ban
news.yahoo.comMichigan Court of Appeals denies AG’s attempt to reverse ruling they say could cost taxpayers millions
FLINT, MI—The Michigan Court of Appeals has denied a request by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office to reverse a previous decision made by a Genesee County Circuit Court judge in a case stemming from the Flint water crisis they say could cost taxpayers millions of dollars and could delay nine pending criminal cases for years. In a statement emailed to MLive-The Flint Journal Thursday, Ron DeWaard, a lawyer for Lyon, said he welcomes the ruling. “SG Hammoud and her team need to hire a taint team to get on with this privilege review forthwith,” the statement begins. “They have delayed even identifying a taint team or creating a review protocol for far too long. In March, Kelly told the AG’s office to continue working on forming a taint team but allowed a pause while awaiting the Michigan Court of Appeals ruling on her actions.
mlive.comAccounting Firm Drops Trump Organization Over Dubious Financial Docs
Mario TamaThe Trump Organization’s trusted outside accounting firm has taken the unprecedented step of ditching its client, explaining that the former president’s family company has a decade of financial statements that can’t be trusted.The bombshell move by Mazars USA—the accounting firm that has long worked with former President Donald Trump’s family and friends—was revealed in court filings in New York on Monday.The decision to drop Trump follows last month’s aggressive move by New York Attor
news.yahoo.comAs Brian Flores’ lawsuit rocks NFL, Lions’ Aaron Glenn gets another shot at head-coaching interview
Belichick meant to text Brian Daboll (who is white) congratulations for landing New York’s head coaching job, but accidentally sent the message to Brian Flores -- even though Flores’ interview for the position wasn’t for another few days. He wants to be an NFL head coach, and three interviews in two years suggests he’s already one of the hottest minority candidates in the league. Like Glenn, Staley is a Black man with ambitions of becoming a head coach. This week, that includes serving as a head coach. “It’s awesome, first of all, to be able to come down here and be the head coach for the week,” Staley said.
mlive.comNew York Attorney General: We Found ‘Significant Evidence’ of Trump Organization Fraud
ReutersNew York’s attorney general announced late Tuesday night that her office’s investigation into the Donald Trump’s company’s accounting practices had yielded “significant evidence” of fraud.Letitia James said in a tweet, “We have uncovered significant evidence indicating that the Trump Organization used fraudulent and misleading asset valuations on multiple properties to obtain economic benefits, including loans, insurance coverage, and tax deductions for years.”In a longer press release, t
news.yahoo.comTrump and His Children Refuse to Be Deposed in Tax Dodging Investigation
ALEX EDELMANThe Trump family was supposed to turn over records and testimony to the New York Attorney General surrounding the Trump family’s alleged tax dodging. Predictably, they didn’t. So now, investigators are turning up the heat on former President Donald Trump himself, Don Jr., and Ivanka.The three Trump family members are being added as “respondents” in an ongoing legal fight with New York Attorney General Leticia James, according to a document filed in New York state court Monday morning
news.yahoo.comMichigan AG offers to launch investigation into Oxford school shooting
Attorney General Dana Nessel said she’s been in communication with Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald about her concerns and frustration involving the school shooting at Oxford High School. The Attorney General said these types of investigations are perfect for her office.
Michigan could receive up to $800M from proposed $26B opioid settlement
According to the AG’s Office, the settlement agreement is still pending. The four companies doling out the money, Cardinal Health, McKesson, Johnson & Johnson and AmerisourceBergen, reported annual revenues of nearly $500 billion in fiscal year 2020. Johnson & Johnson would stop selling opioids and end lobbying activities related to the drugs. This would be the second largest settlement ever, behind only the national tobacco settlement of 1998, according to the AG’s Office. The proposed $26 billion settlement announced Wednesday would dismiss three companies -- Cardinal Health., McKesson and AmerisourceBergen -- from that lawsuit filed in Wayne County Circuit Court.
mlive.comFamily of Bay City girl killed in 1973 ‘cautiously optimistic’ Michigan Attorney General will take case
Tom Rohrer, brother of Jan Rohrer, poses for a portrait in Alma on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. The next day, investigators took the suspect to Bay City to go over the sites related to Jan’s disappearance and to the location where her remains were found. The same day, police released the suspect pending further investigation as requested by Bay County Prosecutor Nancy E. Borushko and Bay County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey D. Stroud, according to reports obtained by MLive via a Freedom of Information Act request. Rohrer said he and his brother, William A. Rohrer III, are trying to be optimistic, but cautiously so. Read more:Arrest in Bay City cold case doesn’t end mystery of 13-year-old’s murder in 1973Family in Bay City cold case seeks ‘Justice for Jan’Police confirm an arrest was made this year in 1973 slaying of Bay City teenLittle Girl Lost: Former Bay City police detective shares theory on 1973 Jan Rohrer slaying
mlive.comCuomo slams accusers for going public amid sexual harassment probes: 'That's not fair'
Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo criticized his accusers who have gone public amid ongoing investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct, arguing they had impacted the fairness of the process by speaking out.
foxnews.comDetroit native who prosecuted Derek Chauvin case never took outcome for granted
It’s no secret that Detroit has produced leaders all over the country, the city can now add the Minnesota Attorney General to that list. Keith Ellison is making a big impact in the Derek Chauvin case, surrounding the death of George Floyd.
Frank Kelley, Michigan attorney general for 37 years, dies
DETROIT – Frank J. Kelley, affectionately called the “eternal general” for his 37 years as Michigan's longest-serving attorney general, has died at age 96, his family said Saturday. Kelley was state government's top lawyer at a time of sweeping change in politics and culture. He was credited with creating consumer and environmental protection divisions in the attorney general's office and was a defender of civil rights. Kelley, a Detroit native, was a lawyer in Alpena, a small town in northern Michigan, when Gov. John Swainson appointed him attorney general in 1961.
Michigan attorney general warns of law enforcement scam calls
LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning residents of scammers posing as law enforcement agencies or other companies, demanding payment for warrants or services via gift cards. “Make sure to be aware that no law enforcement agency will ever contact you by phone demanding that you pay, regardless of payment method, for your warrant to disappear. Spoofing allows scammers to disguise their actual phone numbers and instead show a local phone number on the caller ID. “The framework of these scams – whether it’s a law enforcement, grandparent, or tech support scam – are always the same. AdTo report fraud or if you have a general consumer complaint, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team online or by calling 877-765-8388.
Flint criminal cases will wrap up early next year, says Michigan AG Nessel
The Flint criminal cases involving the city’s water crisis will be wrapped up in early 2021, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who made the announcement at a Dec. 22 press conference. The Flint criminal cases, led by Michigan Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud, were expected to be finished by the end of this year but the pandemic stalled progress, according to Nessel. “Several members of the Flint team were down with COVID-19 so it prevented them from wrapping things up this year,” Nessel said. “I’m really proud of our office,” Nessel said. Nessel said this year was the busiest time for the elections safety and security division of the AG.
mlive.comDoorDash settles with DC AG for $2.5 million over claims it misled users on driver tips
DoorDash reached a $2.5 million settlement with the attorney general of the District of Columbia over claims that the company misled consumers on how it would allocate tips for workers, the AG's office announced Tuesday. AG Karl Racine sued DoorDash in November 2019 over allegations the company misled customers into believing their tips would directly increase drivers' pay. The settlement will include $1.5 million in relief to delivery workers, $750,000 to the District and $250,000 to two local charities, according to a press release from the AG's office. DoorDash is not the only gig company to have gained attention for its tipping policies. WATCH: How gig workers are surviving the pandemic
cnbc.comMichigan AG signs agreement with Ann Arbor company after alleged price gouging
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Attorney General has signed an agreement with Ann Arbor janitorial equipment supplier A.M. In late March, AG Dana Nessel’s office opened an investigation into the business after receiving complaints about price gouging practices. Cleaning & Supplies alleging that it had drastically increased prices of hand sanitizer, a sought-out product during the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 11, the AG’s office sent a cease and desist letter to the company. Cleaning & Supplies, L.L.C.
Right-wing trolls Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman charged in alleged scheme to suppress Detroit voters
According to a statement, the AG's office is exploring whether extradition will be necessary.Similar robocalls were made in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois. "Any effort to interfere with, intimidate or intentionally mislead Michigan voters will be met with swift and severe consequences," Nessel said in a statement. "This effort specifically targeted minority voters in an attempt to deter them from voting in the November election. Michigan voters are entitled to a full, free and fair election in November, and my office will not hesitate to pursue those who jeopardize that. "Anyone who received the call is encouraged to contact the AG's office at 517-335-7650.
metrotimes.comDick Durbin: GOP asks Loretta Lynch to "sit in the back of the bus" with AG vote delay
Dick Durbin: GOP asks Loretta Lynch to "sit in the back of the bus" with AG vote delay The Illinois senator calls the Republican Party's delay in confirming Loretta Lynch as Attorney General an "unjust" move.
cbsnews.comAG nominee Loretta Lynch faces impasse on Capitol Hill
AG nominee Loretta Lynch faces impasse on Capitol Hill Lawmakers have been stalling the confirmation of President Obama's nominee for attorney general. Congressional correspondent Nancy Cordes joins CBSN with more on what's behind the hold-up.
cbsnews.comPresident Obama's potential AG pick
President Obama's potential AG pick As Attorney General Eric Holder prepares to leave the Obama cabinet, reports are circulating who will be his replacement. One frontrunner is Loretta Lynch, the current U.S.Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. The White House has declined to comment. Juliana Goldman weighs in.
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