LEE CHATFIELD

And under Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s leadership, might we soon see some new common-sense firearm safety laws?

Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey told congressional investigators “the pressure was real and the expectations were, for the most part, unambiguous,” in the run-up to Michigan’s certification of the 2020 election. Shirkey, however, said he was never on board with the scheme, nor did he believe the unsubstantiated claims of widespread election fraud. He and Chatfield agreed beforehand that their position would be to “simply follow Michigan’s laws,” Shirkey told investigators, and the two released a statement to that effect shortly after the meeting. “I was tired of hearing all of these loosely calculated claims and allegations but no substance to back them up,” Shirkey told investigators. “I knew that the charge or the goal of the fellows that I referred to before was pretty much targeted to that action,” Shirkey told investigators.

LANSING, MI — Increasing transparency surrounding legislation and tackling “zombie laws,” such as those pertaining to abortion, will be top of mind for Democrats as they take the legislative lead next month according to outgoing House Minority Leader Donna Lasinski. Lasinski, D-Scio Township, spoke with reporters Wednesday, Dec. 21, at the state capitol for a year end roundtable. Negotiations on the contents of an amendment have usually happened behind closed doors and are later made available to reporters. Lasinski said Democrats, unlike on the budget, did have the time to fully review the ins-and-outs of the proposal prior to a vote. Speaking to reporters Dec. 15, Governor Gretchen Whitmer even indicated in her own year-end meeting with reporters that tackling zombie laws pertaining to same-sex marriage could be on the table next term.

Lansing, MI – Though the Department of Attorney General asked House Republicans to not undertake an investigation into former House Speaker Lee Chatfield over myriad allegations stemming from his time in office, the legislature was wrong to not launch at least an ethical probe into the ex-lawmaker. Outgoing House Minority Leader Donna Lasinski, D-Scio Township, did not mince words Wednesday, over her feelings regarding the lack of a public probe into Chatfield’s alleged violations. These include possible instances of embezzlement, bribery and use of controlled substances, as well as potential campaign finance violations. In the wake of those allegations, House Republicans faced mounting pressure to begin an investigation into perceived wrongdoing though did not outwardly make a move to do so. Outgoing House Speaker Jason Wentworth, R-Farwell, later told reporters that House Republicans did “go down the path of hiring a third-party” to investigate allegations against his predecessor but was dissuaded by the Attorney General.

Michigan featured prominently in summary from committee that referred Trump and others for criminal charges

That’s according to a statement from Chatfield to the Select Committee to Investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the United States Capitol. From there, it says Trump and Giuliani “went through a ‘litany’ of false allegations” about supposed fraud in Michigan’s presidential election. When speaking with the president, Chatfield recalled Trump giving a generic directive for the group to “have some backbone and do the right thing.” According to the report, Chatfield understood the comment to mean routing Michigan’s Electoral College electors for Trump rather than Biden. From there, the report says Shirkey told Trump he would not do anything to violate Michigan law and, following the meeting, released a joint press release with Chatfield. Chatfield met with the select committee in October 2021, per the report, and Shirkey’s interview took place June 8.

LANSING, MI — House Speaker Jason Wentworth said House Republicans “did go down the path of hiring a third-party” to investigate allegations against his predecessor, Lee Chatfield, but was dissuaded by the Department of Attorney General from doing such. “And when we did that, we notified the attorney general, and the attorney general’s office requested that we not investigate. Chatfield, former speaker of the Michigan House and legislator from 2015 through 2020, stands accused of being engaged in a “criminal enterprise” as part of court documents mistakenly made public in October. His conduct is currently being investigated by the Department of Attorney General in conjunction with the Michigan State Police. In late October, Lasinski herself said that should Democrats win the House, an investigation into the ex-Speaker would be swift and inevitable.

House Minority Leader Donna Lasinski said that should Democrats take control of the lower chamber following the Nov. 8 election, an investigation into former House Speaker Lee Chatfield would be swift and inevitable. In February, the Department of Attorney General began assisting a Michigan State Police investigation into allegations that Chatfield had abused his sister-in-law, Rebekah Chatfield, beginning when she was a minor and throughout her marriage to his brother, Aaron. Instead, top Republicans have pointed to the ongoing police investigation while saying the House would assist where needed. “He’s chosen to neither put in place an ethics committee – which he could do with House rules – nor has he chosen to approve a bipartisan review committee. Michigan hospital offers free breast cancer screeningsOxford High teen picked out gun used to murder classmates.

Whether Lee Chatfield, Michigan’s former House speaker, engaged in a “criminal enterprise” is the subject of court documents briefly made public which allege the ex-lawmaker may be guilty of embezzlement, bribery, use of controlled substances and campaign finance violations. Chatfield was a part of the state Legislature from 2015 through 2020 when he termed out of office. Contents of the court documents, which were accidentally released by Lansing’s 54-A District Court before being quickly re-restricted, were reported by The Detroit News late Monday, Oct. 17. “On Monday, October 17, 2022, suppressed Chatfield court documents were released to The Detroit News in error,” she told MLive in an email. “The cashed checks coincided with trips Chatfield took with Aaron Chatfield, and others, to Detroit, Miami, Las Vegas, Aspen or the Bahamas,” the affidavit signed by Ferguson said, according to the News.

Morning 4 is a quick roundup of stories we think you should know about to start your day.

The sexual assault investigation against former House Speaker Lee Chatfield is now in the hands of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, which is standard practice in these cases.

KALAMAZOO, MI -- The idea of building an arena in downtown Kalamazoo is back. Two meetings were held this month at Southwest Michigan First offices, including government officials and other stakeholders, to talk about building an arena in downtown Kalamazoo. “A possible arena/event center has been discussed as a potential project in downtown Kalamazoo for many years. Plans for an arena downtown go back at least two decades, and talks were held on the topic in the late 1990s. Read more:Downtown Kalamazoo arena proposal on ice?

If you sat through the excruciating Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Ketanji Brown Jackson, it was clear just how exceptional the first Black female justice...

LANSING, MI — House Democrats are urging their Republican colleagues to work with them in establishing a bipartisan investigation into former House speaker Lee Chatfield’s alleged misconduct. The call for a bipartisan investigation comes as speculation has mounted over accusations of financial impropriety that are alleged during Chatfield’s tenure as House Speaker. Happy to look into it more,” Albert said, when asked about the calls to investigate the allegations against Chatfield, who left his post as House Speaker in 2019. A spokesperson for House Speaker Jason Wentworth, R-Farwell, said that the House will continue to cooperate with law enforcement agencies as needed. House leadership has offered its assistance in law enforcement probes into the former House Speaker, while making clear it is not currently planning its own internal investigation.

An Upper Peninsula city is closing a portion of a road to vehicular traffic every night to protect migrating salamanders.

Downtown Detroit is seeing a major bounce back in the housing market and visitors but the number of downtown office workers is still low.

The Oakland County Sheriff's Office is searching for a suspected getaway driver in connection with the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl in Pontiac.

A judge on Thursday ruled that 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley, who is charged in the deadly shooting at Oxford High School, will remain in the Oakland County Jail.

House Democrats are calling for the creation of a committee to investigate whether former Speaker Lee Chatfield committed financial improprieties while in office.

The Detroit Police Department is searching for a hit-and-run suspect who left three women critically injured.

Facing backlash, the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission reversed course Thursday and ended a 7% pay raise the commissioners gave themselves a month ago.

House Democrats on Thursday called for the creation of a special bipartisan committee to investigate whether former Speaker Lee Chatfield committed financial improprieties while leading the chamber.

Students in Metro Detroit are learning more about money management.

LANSING, MI — House Democrats are calling for a bipartisan investigation into the allegations of “ethical failings and misconduct” against former Republican House Speaker Lee Chatfield. A spokesperson for House Speaker Jason Wentworth, R-Farwell, said Monday that the House will continue to cooperate with law enforcement agencies as needed. House leadership has offered its assistance in law enforcement probes into the former House Speaker, while making clear isn’t currently planning its own internal investigation. Related: Michigan Attorney General joins investigation of Lee Chatfield sex abuse claimsHouse Democrats announced their intentions to unveil a resolution this week calling for a bipartisan committee to conduct an investigation into the full scope of Chatfield’s misconduct in office. READ MORE FROM MLIVE:Wife of ex-House Speaker accused of sexual assault comes to his defenseFormer House Speaker Lee Chatfield admits affair, denies sexual assault allegations from sister-in-lawFormer House Speaker under investigation for alleged sexual assault, attorney says

LANSING, MI — Another Sunshine Week has passed in Michigan without any meaningful reform to the state’s weak transparency laws. Sunshine Week has become nationally celebrated among news organizations advocating for openness and transparency in government. “It’s something I’ll continue to review,” Shirkey said of legislation that would lift public records request exemptions for state lawmakers. Even in those states, members of the public seeking disclosure reports can obtain the documents via a public records request. “It’s Sunshine Week, and our bipartisan transparency plan is getting well-tanned as it sits in the Senate,” State Rep. Mark Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills, said in a news release.

LANSING, MI -- Two Michigan lawmakers plead guilty to crimes, police raided the home of staff connected to a former lawmaker under investigation and indoor mask recommendations ended this week. State Rep. Jewell Jones (left) sits next to his attorney Byron Nolen during a Dec. 10 hearing at a Livingston County courtroom. Michigan Republican Party Chairman Laura Cox speaks during the "Keep America Great Rally" at 215 Central Ave., Holland, Mich., on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. The committee expressed interest in a Dec. 2, 2020, video conference call between Cox, Trump’s former campaign lawyer Rudy Giuliani and Michigan Republican activists. Gretchen Whitmer told Michigan business leaders she will protect the state’s economic interests and challenge protests that illegally disrupt the flow of goods.

The wife of former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield came to her husband’s defense Thursday as the investigation into sexual assault allegations against him continues. Being a victim of sexual assault herself, Mrs. Chatfield is sensitive to all of those who are true victims of sexual assault. On Tuesday, law enforcement officials raided the Bath Township home of Rob and Anne Minard, former staffers for Lee Chatfield. Police have also obtained a search warrant for Lee Chatfield’s brother Aaron Chatfield, Rebekah Chatfield’s husband. MORE FROM MLIVE:Police raid home of Lee Chatfield’s former chief of staffMichigan Attorney General joins investigation of Lee Chatfield sex abuse claimsMichigan House assisting police in Chatfield investigation, not currently planning its ownFormer House Speaker Lee Chatfield admits affair, denies sexual assault allegations from sister-in-lawFormer House Speaker under investigation for alleged sexual assault, attorney says

Investigators with Michigan State Police and others executed a search warrant at the home of former staffers of ex-Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield.

Here’s what’s coming up on Local 4 News at 4:

CLINTON COUNTY, MI — Michigan State Police are searching the home of Rob Minard, who served as chief of staff for former House Speaker Lee Chatfield. A spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office also confirmed the raid on the Bath Township home of Anne and Rob Minard. The Michigan House of Representatives has offered its assistance in law enforcement probes into former Lee Chatfield, although the chamber isn’t currently planning its own internal investigation. House members and staff were asked to retain information pertaining to Chatfield’s time in office. Rebekah Chatfield, Chatfield’s sister-in-law, identified herself publicly in a January Bridge Michigan article.

State police on Tuesday searched and took materials from the Lansing-area home of a couple who worked as top aides to Lee Chatfield when he was speaker of the Michigan House.

LANSING, MI — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is assisting Michigan State Police in its investigation of the allegations of abuse carried out by former state House speaker Lee Chatfield against his sister-in-law. White represented many of the survivors of convicted sexual abuser Larry Nassar and currently represents several Robert Anderson sexual assault survivors. The Michigan House of Representatives has offered its assistance in law enforcement probes into former House Speaker Lee Chatfield, although the chamber isn’t currently planning its own internal investigation. Rebekah Chatfield, Chatfield’s sister-in-law, identified herself publicly in a January Bridge Michigan article. READ MORE FROM MLIVE:Michigan House assisting police in Chatfield investigation, not currently planning its ownFormer House Speaker Lee Chatfield admits affair, denies sexual assault allegations from sister-in-lawFormer House Speaker under investigation for alleged sexual assault, attorney says

As a winter storm warning has been issued for Metro Detroit, and as people prepare for the weather conditions, here is a list of warming centers located throughout the Metro area.

The Michigan attorney general's office said Monday it is now assisting local and state police who are investigating allegations of sexual assault and financial misconduct against former legislative leader Lee Chatfield.

A Catholic school in Allen Park said it will use a $1.3 million gift to enhance its science and technology programs, including esports.

The Michigan attorney general’s office is now assisting local and state police who are investigating allegations of sexual assault and financial misconduct against former legislative leader Lee Chatfield.

The Michigan House has offered its assistance in law enforcement probes into former House Speaker Lee Chatfield, although the chamber isn’t currently planning its own internal investigation. The woman identified herself publicly as Rebekah Chatfield, Chatfield’s sister-in-law, in a Bridge Michigan article last week. Gideon D’Assandro, spokesperson for current House Speaker Jason Wentworth, R-Farwell, told reporters Wednesday the House made contact with both Lansing and state police and offered full cooperation. Asked why the House hadn’t started its own investigation, D’Assandro said they are deferring to law enforcement, as their investigation had already begun when the House was made aware. Related coverage:Former House Speaker Lee Chatfield admits affair, denies sexual assault allegations from sister-in-lawFormer House Speaker under investigation for alleged sexual assault, attorney saysLee Chatfield resigns as CEO of Southwest Michigan First after criticism from Kalamazoo communityKalamazoo Promise latest to cut ties with Southwest Michigan FirstFormer House Speaker says politics not a factor in new role at Southwest Michigan FirstOutgoing House Speaker had big wins on auto insurance and criminal justice, but pandemic was a stumbling blockMichigan House Speaker not interested in expanding civil rights law to include LGBT protections

Republican gubernatorial hopeful Garrett Soldano unveiled a set of transparency and anti-corruption proposals that might sound familiar to Michigan Democrats. Soldano, a Kalamazoo chiropractor, said his “Michigan Sunshine 2.0″ platform is modeled after reforms Gov. Related: Whitmer campaigned on transparency, but Michigan still lags the nation“This is a bipartisan issue,” Soldano said. He also criticized non-disclosure agreements signed by Whitmer and state lawmakers regarding potential development projects that could benefit from a new $1 billion incentive package signed into law last year. Maeve Coyle, communications director for Whitmer’s re-election campaign, said the governor has taken multiple actions to improve transparency in state government.

The person former House Speaker Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) is accused of sexually assaulting for more than a decade, beginning when she was a child, is...

Rey Del Rio/Getty ImagesThe woman who filed a police complaint alleging she was raped repeatedly by former Michigan House speaker Lee Chatfield has been identified as his sister-in-law.The accuser, Rebekah Chatfield, told local outlet Bridge Michigan that the lawmaker had first assaulted her when she was a 15-year-old high school student dating his brother; he was allegedly an adult at the time. The abuse allegedly first took place at Gaylord Northern Michigan Baptist Bible Church around 2010. R

Here are this morning's top stories.

A former Michigan legislative leader is denying allegations that he raped his future sister-in-law starting when she was 14 or 15, saying they had a sexual relationship for years but were both consenting adults.

Chatfield deeply regrets the decisions he has made...But he did not assault this woman in any manner during their years-long adult relationship. White represented many of the survivors of the Larry Nassar, and currently represents several Robert Anderson sexual assault victims. Chatfield was first elected to the Michigan House in 2014 and represented the 107th District in northern Michigan. He was elected House Speaker in his final term and served in that role until he was term-limited out of office in December 2020. Related coverage:Lee Chatfield resigns as CEO of Southwest Michigan First after criticism from Kalamazoo communityKalamazoo Promise latest to cut ties with Southwest Michigan FirstFormer House Speaker says politics not a factor in new role at Southwest Michigan FirstOutgoing House Speaker had big wins on auto insurance and criminal justice, but pandemic was a stumbling blockMichigan House Speaker not interested in expanding civil rights law to include LGBT protections

Thursday the news broke about sexual assault allegations made against Lee Chatfield the former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives. It was made by Chatfield’s now sister-in-law who claims he sexually assaulted her from age 15 to last summer. Lee Chatfield is 33. Bill Seikaly is an attorney who has represented sexual assault victims for decades. He’s also represented sexual assault victims against Dr. Larry Nassar at Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics and against Dr. Robert Anderson at the University of Michigan.

COVID-19 continues to dominate headlines with the rapid spread of the omicron variant of the virus. Former Republican House Speaker Lee Chatfield is also back...

A ballot drive launched in Michigan on Friday would protect women's right to an abortion in case the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.

Senior Producer/Host Carol Cain discusses politics with Lavora Barnes, chair, Michigan Democratic Party, Rocky Raczkowski, chair, Oakland County Republican Party, David Dulio, Director of Oakland University Center for Civic Engagement, and...

Michigan State Police are investigating allegations that former state House Speaker Lee Chatfield repeatedly sexually assaulted his sister-in-law over 12 years, beginning when she was...

Michigan defensive back Daxton Hill is entering the NFL draft and skipping his senior season.

State police in northern Michigan were investigating Thursday after a woman accused former state House Speaker Lee Chatfield of sexually assaulting her multiple times, beginning when she was 14 or 15 years old.

LANSING, MI — Former Republican House Speaker Lee Chatfield is being investigated for allegedly sexually assaulting his sister-in-law for more than a decade, the lawyer retained by the victim said Thursday. White represented many of the survivors of the Larry Nassar, and currently represents several Robert Anderson sexual assault victims. City of Lansing spokesperson Scott Bean confirmed Thursday that city police received the compliant, and referred it to the Michigan State Police. He was first elected to serve the 107th District in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula in 2014. ALSO ON MLIVE:Lee Chatfield resigns as CEO of Southwest Michigan First after criticism from Kalamazoo communityKalamazoo Promise latest to cut ties with Southwest Michigan FirstFormer House Speaker says politics not a factor in new role at Southwest Michigan First

State police in northern Michigan are investigating after a woman accused former state House Speaker Lee Chatfield of sexually assaulting her multiple times, beginning when she was 14 or 15 years old.

State police in northern Michigan were investigating Thursday after a woman accused former state House Speaker Lee Chatfield of sexually assaulting her multiple times, beginning when she was 14 or 15 years old. The accuser, now 26, filed a criminal complaint with the Lansing Police Department, which referred it to state police earlier this week.

KALAMAZOO, MI — Jonas R. Peterson has been named the new CEO of Southwest Michigan First, the regional economic development organization announced Friday, Oct. 22. Related: What is Southwest Michigan First, and why did Kalamazoo reject Lee Chatfield as its next CEO? Attributes that rose to the top were:A strong understanding of the economic development ecosystem and how to work within a multi-jurisdictional region to strengthen commerce. Before that, he served as director of the Mohave County Community and Economic Development Department in Kingman, Arizona. He is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) through the International Economic Development Council and currently serves as the Council’s vice chair.

The commission is asking for records and documents from the National Archives detailing conversations between President Donald Trump’s White House and three Michigan officials.

The job was posted on LinkedIn and Indeed, Southwest Michigan First said, and they received more than 130 applications. The Southwest Michigan First board had about 65 members prior to the announcement that Chatfield was hired. Carla Sones was announced interim CEO of Southwest Michigan First on Dec. 21, 2020. Related: What is Southwest Michigan First, and why did Kalamazoo reject Lee Chatfield as its next CEO? Southwest Michigan First wants to help companies deal with things like creating a workforce that’s prepared as industries move to more automation, she said.

KALAMAZOO, MI – The locally owned Zeigler Auto Group has expanded to Wisconsin with the purchase of four new dealerships. The dealerships were rebranded to Zeigler Honda of Racine, Zeigler Toyota of Racine, Zeigler Hyundai of Racine and Zeigler Kenosha Subaru. Zeigler, headquartered in Kalamazoo, now owns 78 franchises in 35 locations across Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. “Besides the fact that these are top-performing, high-volume stores, we chose these stores because of their great potential,” Zeigler Auto Group President and Owner Aaron Zeigler said in the release. Related: Zeigler Auto Group pays $85K to employees after failing to pay overtime, minimum wageAaron Zeigler is also chairman of the regional economic development nonprofit Southwest Michigan First.

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Former CEO of Southwest Michigan First Ron Kitchens is stepping down from his role on the Board of Trustees at Western Michigan University. Kitchens, who was appointed to the board in 2016, left his position at Southwest Michigan First in December and moved to Alabama. “The board and the university have greatly benefitted from Trustee Kitchens’ vision, expertise in economic development and affinity for Western,” said WMU Board Chair Lynn Chen-Zhang. After his departure, the organization’s board named former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield as the new CEO in February. Also on MLive:Game-changing $550M donation can help Western Michigan University reverse declining enrollment with scholarships, services for studentsMichigan will end COVID-19 mask mandate, capacity limits earlyJuneteenth to become federal holiday celebrating end of slavery

The 2022 Michigan gubernatorial election is more than a year away, but there are already questions about who will and won’t be running.

Whether it’s through legislation or at the ballot box in 2022, expanded civil rights protections for Michigan’s LGBT residents are coming, advocates said during a Monday news conference. Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act currently protects people from discrimination based on several factors when it comes to employment, housing and public accommodations: religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status or marital status. Gretchen Whitmer and lead legislative sponsors, Sen. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, and Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia, said that while progress has been made on advancing LGBT rights in Michigan, it’s time to address gaps in the law. Pohutsky said the landscape “has changed profoundly” on LGBT rights since the idea of expanding the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act was first introduced. Citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Pohutsky said it’s important all Michigan residents can support and rely on each other as they take steps to rebuild.

Chatfield, R-Levering, was a conservative Republican who had gotten to Lansing by challenging an opponent who proposed extending civil rights to LGBT people. “He’s like, ‘Oh, you’re gonna love Lee Chatfield.’ And I said, ‘I hardly think that I am going to love Lee Chatfield,’” Nessel said in an interview. His selection sparked backlash, with some pointing to his record of opposing the inclusion of LGBT civil rights protections in the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act as evidence he was out of step with the community. Big partners cut ties with Southwest Michigan First, and the organization responded by issuing a non-discrimination policy. Chatfield was engaging in conversations about LGBT rights and getting to know LGBT people, and was backing the non-discrimination policy at Southwest Michigan First.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield has resigned as CEO of Southwest Michigan First amid community pushback. pic.twitter.com/loS4v0kH3t — Lee Chatfield (@LeeChatfield) February 22, 2021Southwest Michigan First, an economic development agency in Kalamazoo, announced Chatfield as the new CEO on Feb. 11. According to WOODTV, the city of Kalamazoo and the Kalamazoo Promise both pulled support from Southwest Michigan First after the announcement that Chatfield had been hired. As the community started voicing concerns about Chatfield, Southwest Michigan First said it updated its handbook to make it clear it did not discriminate based on gender identity or sexual orientation. pic.twitter.com/iyTKdviZMh — Lee Chatfield (@LeeChatfield) February 16, 2021READ: More political coverage

In social media postings Sunday, the president's campaign organization targeted Chatfield and Lee Shirkey, a Republican and the Senate majority leader. An email message seeking comment was sent to a Trump campaign spokesman. No legal avenue remains for the Trump campaign to change the outcome in Michigan, said Tracy Wimmer, spokeswoman for the secretary of state's office, which oversees elections. Rose's phone number was still on the campaign's Facebook post Monday evening. Although none of the callers made threats, Rose plans to get a new phone number — pronto.

Gretchen Whitmer refused to sign a bill that would have let an estimated 200,000 one-time drunken drivers ask a judge to set aside their conviction, despite the measure's broad bipartisan support in the Michigan Legislature. The Democrat took no action on the expungement legislation Monday, allowing it to die when a 14-day review period expired. Michigan currently does not allow someone to petition a court to set aside a conviction for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. In Michigan, an expungement — or set aside — clears the public record of a conviction so it does not appear in a background check. People with a DUI on their record can be greatly hampered in their careers, McBroom said, especially those who need a commercial driver's license.

In the latest filing, the attorney for Wayne County, Robert Davis, called on the federal judge in Michigan’s Eastern District to sanction lawyers for six Michigan Trump supporters suing Gov. Sanctions for Michigan AG, Secretary of StateTuesday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel also said her office along with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will likely file sanctions of their own to get attorneys such as Powell banned from state courtrooms. That attorney, Matthew DePerno, has been a frequent guest of the far-right outlet Newsmax, a recent favorite of President Trump’s. The case is still ongoing in state court. The suit alleges that by allowing a state’s executive branch to certify a presidential election instead of state legislatures, it violates the constitution.

The Michigan House announced Monday morning it has approved a $483 million COVID-19 relief bill that was passed by the Senate on Friday night. According to the House, the bill includes:$64 million in small business survival relief$220 million to extend unemployment benefits$45 million in direct payments to workers who have been impacted by the virus$75 million for hospitals and healthcare workers,$22 million for increased testing$57 million for vaccine distributionThat adds up to $483 million in relief. The Senate voted 35-2 to approve Senate Bill 748. Congress is expected to pass a relief bill today that includes stimulus checks, enhanced unemployment benefits, rental and eviction relief, money for schools and small business loans. As we continue working to eliminate this virus, I urge all Michiganders to be smart and stay safe.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Rep. Gary Eisen has been removed from his committee assignments for the rest of the term after he made comments during a radio interview on Monday. Whitmer, Secretary Benson, Rep. Johnson and others on the Oversight committee, Republicans, Democrats, and members of the Electoral College. Because of that, Rep. Eisen has been removed from his committee assignments for the rest of the term. Our group, who will also be at the Capitol today to request to be seated as electors, intends to participate in our democracy peacefully. Rep. Gary EisenREAD: Michigan State House and Senate offices close Monday during Electoral College vote

After the hearing, Rep. Johnson received death threats in several voicemails, with one even calling for her lynching. Be in order, make them pay.”Though Rep. Johnson says she was not inciting violence with her message, Republican Michigan leaders and lawmakers whole heartedly disagreed. Whitmer, Secretary Benson, Rep. Johnson herself, and others. The MLBC is on record condemning all acts of violence, threats, racist rhetoric toward any citizen of this great state. Rep. Johnson released a video this week, where she discussed these spiteful messages and as a result, she’s been stripped of her committee assignments.

Related: AG Barr: No evidence of voter fraud that’d change election outcome“This is how democracies die,” Nessel said Friday. “By virtue of these types of actions, which are unprecedented in American history.”Legal experts don’t believe the high court will hear the case. Despite that, four Michigan GOP congressmen have signed onto the case and 15 GOP state lawmakers. Nessel and the Attorney Generals of the other states have all filed briefs with the high court. Each member who signed their names on their respective briefs also won their own elections in 2020, which they are now asking to be invalidated.

Michigan’s election results faced another round of legal challenges in courts both big and small just four days before the Electoral College is slated to meet and finalize the 2020 election. In the U.S. Supreme Court, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel responded to the state of Texas, which is suing Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Georgia -- three other key states that voted in favor of President-elect Joe Biden. Texas alleged that Michigan broke its own election laws to send absentee ballots to voters during a pandemic, and argued that the court should throw out millions of votes. More: Michigan AG: Texas AG Paxton’s election lawsuit is clear signal request for pardon by TrumpNessel said the claims in the lawsuit are “absurd” and already have been debunked in lower courts. The scheme has been floated and then called for by President Trump, his campaign and his legal team before and after the presidential election in an effort to overturn election results.

They’re even more unbecoming of an elected official," they said in a joint statement stating that violence and intimidation is never appropriate in politics. "That applies to threats made toward public officials, and it must also apply when the threats come from public officials. Behavior like this will not be tolerated this term or next.”Johnson could not be reached for comment. Earlier in the video, she urged people to “be smart” and “hit them in the pocketbook" — an apparent reference to Trump supporters. She urged people to call 911 or the police if they have been threatened or fear for their safety.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan House canceled its voting session scheduled for Tuesday following an announcement that President Donald Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani had tested positive for the coronavirus. Giuliani visited Lansing last Wednesday to testify for hours before a Republican-led committee investigating alleged election irregularities. “The CDC guidelines would not consider them close contacts with anyone, even if Mayor Giuliani had been positive, but they want to go above and beyond in the interest of public safety. With the recent spike in COVID cases nationwide, this makes sense.”Chatfield, who was being tested, said several other House members need to miss Tuesday’s session for non-virus reasons. Votes will be taken on Wednesday and Thursday in the second-to-last week of the two-year session.

He’s not really interested in COVID relief these days,” University of Michigan professor Richard Primus said. Primus teaches constitutional law and is a contributor for the Federalist Society. He said the president’s efforts to undermine the election, including the invitation sent to GOP leaders, are troubling for the election process by spreading distrust in democracy. “It doesn’t look to me like Speaker Chatfield and Senator Shirkey have done anything criminal, they haven’t taken any actions that a bribe was made to them or they accepted one. However, under state law, an audit cannot happen until an election is certified.

DETROIT – The Michigan Board of State Canvassers is set to meet Monday to decide whether Michigan’s election results will be certified. Republican Party leaders asked the Michigan Board of State Canvassers to delay certification two weeks to look into irregularities. The vote to certify Michigan’s election results comes nearly three weeks since Election Day. Despite Joe Biden’s lead over President Donald Trump by hundreds of thousands of votes, House Speaker Lee Chatfield spoke of the believed dangers that could follow a split decision on the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. In an interview with Fox News Sunday morning Republican and Michigan House Speaker, Lee Chatfield, talked about the possibility of a “constitutional crisis” ahead of the Michigan Board of State Canvassers scheduled Monday meeting to certify election results.

DETROIT – In an interview with Fox News Sunday morning Republican and Michigan House Speaker, Lee Chatfield, talked about the possibility of a “constitutional crisis” ahead of the Michigan Board of State Canvassers scheduled Monday meeting to certify election results. Chatfield debunked circulating rumors that he was asked to intervene in the election process during Friday’s meeting. Currently, Black voters are suing the Trump campaign over its effort to invalidate election results. Since the presidential election Republican leaders have made allegations of voter fraud without substantial evidence. It began the day you and other leaders refused to stand behind our clerks and election process,” said Koleszar in the Tweet.

DETROIT – In an interview with Fox News Sunday morning, Republican and Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield talked about the possibility of a “constitutional crisis” ahead of the Michigan Board of State Canvassers scheduled Monday meeting to certify election results. “If they didn’t have an order that it be certified, well now we have a constitutional crisis in the state of Michigan. WATCH Local 4 News at 11Metro Detroit weather: Winter Weather Advisory canceled as snow showers leaveSunday night will be cold. Overnight lows will be in the 20s and low 30s. Re-freezing and icy roads are possible overnight even though no additional rain or snow will fall.

The Republican National Committee and the state Republican Party want the board to adjourn for 14 days to investigate alleged irregularities in Wayne County, the state's largest and home to Detroit. “Michigan election law clearly requires that the state’s electors must be those nominated by the party that received the most votes — not the Legislature,” says a stock email House Republicans are sending in response to people who contact their offices. Experts on Michigan election law have said the state board's authority is limited in scope and that it must certify the results now that all 83 counties have reported theirs to the state. The deadline is Dec. 13, but that is five days after the federal “safe harbor” date — when Congress cannot challenge any electors named by that date in accordance with state law. In fact, election officials from both political parties have stated publicly that the election went well and international observers confirmed that there were no serious irregularities.

DETROIT – A group of Detroit voters are now suing the Trump Campaign, claiming it’s trying to disenfranchise Black voters in their attempt to block the certification of votes in Wayne County. The lawsuit Anthony is talking about is 18 pages long. The plaintiffs are several local Detroit voters, along with the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization. They are suing Donald Trump and his campaign, claiming they’re trying to disenfranchise Black voters by trying to block the certification of votes in Wayne County. And we hired Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”You can read the entire lawsuit filed against Trump and his campaign by the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization and Detroit residents here.

DETROIT – The envoy of Michigan Republican lawmakers who traveled to the White House Friday for a controversial meeting with President Donald Trump returned home Saturday. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey refused to answer questions despite releasing a statement the day before. There were also photos of Chatfield and several other Michigan Republicans drinking inside Trump Hotel while seated at a table. The State Board of Canvassers meets Monday to vote on certifying the state election. Since the presidential election Republican leaders have made allegations of voter fraud without substantial evidence.

DETROIT – Three Detroit voters have joined a local organization in suing President Trump and his campaign over their effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Wayne County Board of Canvassers certifies results despite initial deadlockThe lawsuit comes days after two GOP members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers initially voted not to certify the votes, citing discrepancies in the county’s numbers. The pair changed their minds again, however, after President Trump called them personally on Tuesday evening after the certification process. Still, some argue that their meeting with the president so close to the state’s certification meeting is concerning. We expect the State Board of Canvassers to do its job and count the votes.”The Michigan Board of State Canvassers is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. on Monday.

DETROIT – Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and Michigan Republican Party Chairman Laura Cox penned a joint letter dated today to the Michigan Board of State Canvassers asking to delay the certification of election results for two weeks. Since the presidential election Republican leaders have made allegations of voter fraud without substantial evidence. The letter was sent only a day after Michigan Republican leaders met with President Donald Trump. After the meeting both leaders issued a joint letter noting that the meeting with the president was on the state’s fight against COVID-19. @Local4News pic.twitter.com/qUMYjSr35H — Grant Hermes (@GrantHermes) November 21, 2020My joint letter with @GOPChairwoman to the Members of the Michigan Board of State Canvassers.

The leaders of Michigan’s House and Senate met with President Donald Trump Friday. The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 295,177 as of Friday, including 8,377 deaths, state officials report. New COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise in Michigan. Hospitalizations have increased steadily for the last five weeks, including upticks in critical care and ventilator use. New Today: Coronavirus in Michigan: Here’s what to know Nov. 21, 2020Here’s a look at more of the data:

The leaders of Michigan’s House and Senate met with President Donald Trump Friday. We have since sent the same correspondence to congressional leaders.”They made sure to ask for further federal dollars to deal with the impact of COVID-19. Currently, it’s hundreds of millions of dollars in federal money that is back filling the state budget. Both leaders also addressed the vote certification process. Several legal experts and local leaders say the state’s certification of votes is simply the next step in the process and should carry on normally, despite drama over the certification process in Wayne County this week.

DETROIT – The latest outlook at what winter 2020-2021 could look like in Michigan. 4 Fast FactsBe InformedMichigan Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey and House speaker Lee Chatfield met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday. After meeting with President Donald Trump, the Michigan GOP lawmakers released a statement saying that they’re not aware of any information that would change President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the state. The Michigan Board of State Canvassers is expected to certify the results of the 2020 election on Monday, Nov. 23. Read MoreThursday, Nov. 19, 2020 --

WASHINGTON – Michigan Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey and House speaker Lee Chatfield met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday. READ: Michigan GOP lawmakers meet with President Trump at White HouseSenate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield released the following statement:“The President of the United States extended invitations to us on Wednesday evening. We each accepted his invitation as we would accept an invitation from any sitting President if asked to meet at the White House. “We used our time in the White House to deliver a letter to President Trump making clear our support for additional federal funds to help Michigan in the fight against COVID-19. These are simple truths that should provide confidence in our elections.”I was glad to have met with President Trump this evening.

DETROIT – Michigan Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey and House speaker Lee Chatfield met with President Donald Trump at the White House Friday. It’s one of the most controversial White House meetings in recent history and there’s concern the president is going to try get Shirkey and Chatfield to overturn Michigan’s election results. No matter the party, when you have an opportunity to meet with the President of the United States, of course you take it. We each accepted his invitation as we would accept an invitation from any sitting President if asked to meet at the White House. “We used our time in the White House to deliver a letter to President Trump making clear our support for additional federal funds to help Michigan in the fight against COVID-19.

During an interview with CNN Friday morning, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said she had not spoken with state Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield about their invitation to meet with President Trump in Washington. UPDATE 12:48 p.m.: Chatfield Chatfield tweeted : “No matter the party, when you have an opportunity to meet with the President of the United States, of course you take it. 🇺🇸”However, during the live interview Benson said Chatfield texted her that “he hasn’t confirmed with anyone that he’s going or not.”Reports say Trump will meet with several Republican state legislators from Michigan about the election results today. of State Jocelyn Benson this morning on CNN: "Actually, the speaker *just* texted me and said he hasn't confirmed with anyone that he's going or not." President - Michigan View All CandidatesRepresentatives with the Michigan State House and Senate could not be reached for comment by Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit.

DETROIT – Michigan Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey and House speaker Lee Chatfield are expected to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House Friday. It’s an extraordinary move as the Trump Campaign continues to attempt to stop Michigan from certifying the election results. Speaker Lee Chatfield confirmed that he was meeting with the president in a tweet just before the meeting Friday, saying he is honored to speak with Trump. No matter the party, when you have an opportunity to meet with the President of the United States, of course you take it. And I look forward to our conversation.”The 4 p.m. meeting comes after a contentious meeting with the Wayne County Board of Canvassers.

DETROIT – Here’s what you missed on Local 4 News at Noon. What we know about President Trump’s meeting with two Michigan GOP lawmakersMichigan Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey and House speaker Lee Chatfield are expected to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House Friday. It’s an extraordinary move as the Trump Campaign continues to attempt to stop Michigan from certifying the election results.

There has been some suggestion from a few GOP activists that the state legislative leadership could change the state’s electors. Pfizer seeking emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine in USPfizer said Friday it is asking U.S. regulators to allow emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine, starting the clock on a process that could bring limited first shots as early as next month and eventually an end to the pandemic -- but not until after a long, hard winter. The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 285,398 as of Thursday, including 8,324 deaths, state officials report. New COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise in Michigan. The state also reports “active cases,” which were listed at 130,000 on Wednesday, near its highest mark on record.

President Donald Trump listens during an event in the briefing room of the White House in Washington, Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, on prescription drug prices. Experts on Michigan election law said the Board of State Canvassers' authority was limited in scope. The Michigan Legislature would be called on to select electors if Trump succeeded in persuading the board not to certify the results. In two Democratic-leaning counties in Wisconsin that are recounting votes, Trump’s campaign sought to discard tens of thousands of absentee ballots that it alleged should not have been counted. "It’s an open attempt to intimidate election officials, it’s absolutely appalling.

Their vote will stand.”The big question is what the Michigan Board of State Canvassers does on Monday. In midst of the election certification process, President Donald Trump has asked Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield to meet with him at the White House on Friday. Representatives with the Michigan State House and Senate could not be reached for comment. “There is no legal mechanism for them to rescind their vote. Their job is done and the next step in the process is for the Board of State Canvassers to meet and certify,” said secretary of state spokeswoman Tracy Wimmer, the AP reports.

The press conference came just hours after the Trump campaign filed to dismiss its case to stop the certification of Michigan’s election results. “That case was attempting to get Wayne County board of supervisors to decertify, and they did,” Giuliani said, misidentifying the Board of Canvassers as supervisors. But Giuliani and the campaign’s filing are wrong: The Wayne County Board of Canvassers did certify the election after a 2-2 deadlock earlier this week. Michigan officials said Thursday that there’s no legal basis for them to reverse their decisions. Read the latest here: Michigan: GOP canvassers can’t legally rescind Wayne County election certification vote

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has invited two top Republican Michigan lawmakers to the White House this week. Senate Republican Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield will reportedly attend a meeting a the White House on Friday. It is telling that Michigan GOP legislative leaders Mike Shirkey and Lee Chatfield are jetting off to Washington DC this week to meet with President Trump. Two Republican members of the board -- Monica Palmer and William Hartmann -- refused to certify the election results on Tuesday. Read more: Trump targets Wayne County vote certification in late bid to block Biden

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield on Wednesday slapped down calls by some Republican lawmakers for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s impeachment for her actions mitigating the spread of COVID-19. However, Chatfield said an effort to impeach Whitmer would lack merit and would be every bit as “shameful” as the impeachment efforts against President Donald Trump. The people of Michigan deserve a seat at the decision table, Chatfield said in a statement Sunday. Chatfield said House Republicans stand ready to act in a bipartisan way when Whitmer decides it is worth her time.

The Michigan Legislature would be called to select electors if Trump succeeds in convincing the state’s board of canvassers not to certify Biden’s victory in the state. Asked at a Lansing news conference about the plan for legislative leaders to visit Trump, Democratic Gov. “Wayne County voters need to have full confidence in this process." Biden crushed Trump in Wayne County by a more than 2-1 margin on his way to winning Michigan by 153,000 votes, according to unofficial results. But Trump and his allies have spent two weeks raising false claims of fraud and refusing to concede to Biden.

The Republican-led Michigan State House and Senate will hold hearings on the “voting and counting process” in the state, according to House Speaker Lee Chatfield. The proposed inquiry comes as President Trump is seeking to stop vote counting in key election states, including Michigan. There is no evidence of voter fraud tied to the 2020 Michigan election. Republicans are expected to keep control of the Michigan House. Michigan Republicans held a press conference on Friday, alleging voter fraud in Michigan, but offered no evidence to back the claims.

LANSING, Mich. – Controversy at the Michigan State Capitol continues after an already troubling week, amid the alleged domestic terrorism plot to kidnap the governor. RELATED: Letter criticizes Michigan governor for not warning legislature about domestic terror plotIt’s safe to say it has been a busy and scary week at the Michigan State’s Capitol building, especially after the FBI stopped alleged threats to kidnap the governor. Saturday, Michigan Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield, spoke out about the threats, “I think the plot was evil, plotted by evil men and it needs to be condemned. Why weren’t we in the Legislature warned of the plot to take hostages at the Capitol? I am also alarmed the Lieutenant Governor recently blamed Michigan Republicans for the evil plans of these unstable men.

The letter was sent after 13 men were charged this week in a domestic terror plot to kidnap Whitmer and overthrow the government. He also brought up Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist saying he recently blamed Michigan Republicans for the domestic terror plot. New Today: Michigan sheriff shared stage at protest with man charged in domestic terror plot to kidnap, kill governorRead the entire letter here"We need to cooperate more. I am also alarmed the Lieutenant Governor recently blamed Michigan Republicans for the evil plans of these unstable men. Will the Lieutenant Governor turn it down with the entire Republican Party, millions of whom are his constituents?

FILE - In this June 4, 2019, file photo, Kevin Warren talks to reporters after being named Big Ten Conference Commissioner during a news conference in Rosemont, Ill. Leaders of six state legislatures in the Big Ten footprint have sent a letter to commissioner Kevin Warren asking the conference to reconsider its decision to cancel the fall football season. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. The Big Ten said its Council of Presidents and Chancellors voted unanimously Tuesday to restart sports. The move came amid sharp pressure from coaches, a lawsuit from players and pressure from parents and even President Donald Trump pushing for a Big Ten football season.