Latest news with #MichiganDepartmentofAttorneyGeneral
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
AG's office: Jocelyn Benson violated state law in announcing run for governor
The Michigan Department of Attorney General found that Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson violated Michigan's campaign finance law when she held a press conference to announce her campaign for governor in a state building. Benson used the lobby of the Richard H. Austin Building in Lansing for the Jan. 22 press conference, prompting complaints alleging her use of the space was illegal under Michigan's campaign finance law, which generally prohibits a public official from using public resources for campaigning. Benson's campaign initially scoffed at the allegations that her use of the lobby constituted a violation of that law. But the Michigan Department of Attorney General reached a different conclusion. However, the Michigan Department of Attorney General found that it cannot impose a civil fine or criminal penalty like it can on other candidates who violate the law because the law excludes the secretary of state. "Such unequal treatment is something the Legislature may want to consider addressing," wrote Joshua Booth — Division Chief of the Opinions Division for the Michigan Department of Attorney General — in the May 19 letter finding Benson violated the law. Angela Benander, Chief Communications Officer for the Michigan Department of State, declined to comment, referring the Free Press to Benson's campaign for comment. The campaign's Communications Director, Alyssa Bradley, said in a May 19 statement: "We understand the Attorney General is issuing a new interpretation of the law. We look forward to continuing the conversation with Michiganders about Jocelyn Benson's vision to make our state the best place to be a kid, raise a kid, and call home by lowering housing costs, making our schools among the best in the nation, and standing up for our rights and freedoms." When Benson spoke to reporters during the press conference inside, she said that she didn't want people to stand outside in the cold when asked by a Free Press reporter about her decision to hold the event indoors. She also said that other candidates could use the same venue for similar campaign press conferences. Ordinarily, the secretary of state's office handles complaints alleging campaign finance violations. But the law requires any complaints alleging a violation by the secretary of state be referred to the Department of Attorney General. Benson's campaign argued that when Benson held the press conference, she was there in her "personal capacity" on her "personal time" to express her "personal views," according to Booth's letter. Booth dismissed the argument. "Secretary Benson invited members of the press inside the Austin Building and then conducted a press conference, professionally dressed, during the day, in the lobby of the building that houses her office," he wrote. Booth also noted that the building is operated by the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget, which allows partisan political events outside its facility but not inside. "Secretary Benson's statements at the press conference show that she believed that other candidates could use the Austin Building lobby for similar announcements. But Secretary Benson's belief was misplaced," Booth wrote. Michigan Politics: Benson campaign denies wrongdoing after complaint filed upon launch of campaign Benson plans to tout her leadership of the Michigan Department of State as she runs to succeed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who cannot run again due to term limits. Her opponents in the race will likely seize on the finding that Benson as the chief elections officer violated the campaign finance law. In addition to Benson, the Democratic side of the governor's race features Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. The Republican candidates include former Attorney General Mike Cox, U.S. Rep. John James of Shelby Township, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, and Anthony Hudson, who describes himself on his campaign website as a Texas native who fell in love with Michigan. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running as an independent candidate. (This story was updated to add new information.) Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@ or 313-296-5743. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: AG's office finds Jocelyn Benson broke campaign finance law
CNN
25-04-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Authorities raid 5 Michigan homes amid yearlong vandalism investigation into pro-Palestinian graffiti
Authorities raided five homes in southeastern Michigan on Wednesday as part of a yearlong vandalism investigation into pro-Palestinian graffiti targeting the homes of University of Michigan officials and others. Search warrants, authorized by a Michigan state court, were executed in Ann Arbor, Canton and Ypsilanti, according to a Thursday news release from the Michigan Department of Attorney General. The individuals whose homes were searched were not arrested, though some were detained and later released, officials said. The search warrants were executed as part of the Michigan Department of Attorney General's investigation into at least 12 'coordinated and related' acts of vandalism and property damage that occurred in multiple Michigan counties between approximately February 2024 through March 2025, officials said. The estimated cost of the damage is about $100,000, according to authorities. 'These search warrants were not investigative of protest activity on the campus of the University of Michigan nor the Diag encampment; today's search warrants are in furtherance of our investigation into multijurisdictional acts of vandalism,' the attorney general's office told CNN Wednesday, adding that local, state and federal authorities were involved in the searches. 'Political slogans or messages' were placed at every vandalized site, the attorney general's office said. Graffiti displayed pro-Palestinian messages at most of the sites, photos show. Several University of Michigan administrators were among those targeted. The home of Erik Lundberg, the university's chief investment officer, was vandalized with the words 'Divest' and 'Free Palestine.' University of Michigan President Santa Ono's home was vandalized with graffiti that included the word 'intifada' in part. The home of Jordan Acker, a member of the university's Board of Regents, was also damaged – with a window broken and the words 'Free Palestine' written on his car. His law firm was also vandalized with pro-Palestinian language. Photos of provost Laurie McCauley's home likewise show shattered glass and the words 'No honor in genocide' graffitied on her fence. No charges have been filed against any of the people whose homes were searched, authorities said. The attorney general's office did not identify any suspects in the investigation. 'The University of Michigan condemns these criminal acts in the strongest possible terms,' the school said in a December statement after Acker's home was vandalized. 'They are abhorrent and, unfortunately, just the latest in a number of incidents where individuals have been harassed because of their work on behalf of the university. This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.' The Maurice & Jane Sugar Law Center for Economic & Social Justice, which is representing two of the individuals whose homes were raided, said most are University of Michigan students. When asked about the vandalism at Acker's home, the lawyers denied that their clients were involved. John Philo, the legal director at the law center, told CNN Thursday that the individuals are being targeted for their pro-Palestinian beliefs. 'The students that were targeted appear to be those that UM officials believe are most active in on-campus protests - protests that have been loud at times…but which in no way can be characterized as violent or causing significant vandalism,' Philo said. 'Other than a shared viewpoint concerning Palestine, a real question exists as to why student campus protestors are being targeted or is that the point - because they are expressing that viewpoint on UM's campus.' The incidents followed months of tensions between the university's administration and pro-Palestinian students who had in 2024 demanded university leaders divest from Israel amid its war in Gaza. Other instances of vandalism and property damage occurred at the Jewish Federation of Detroit, an officer's home, a country club, a car dealership, an office and the historic Wilcox House, according to the attorney general's office. The alleged vandalisms were committed in the middle of the night, and in one instance, children were sleeping at a residence but were awoken, according to the attorney general's office. Windows were smashed in several cases and 'noxious chemical substances were propelled' into homes on two occasions. The TAHRIR Coalition, a pro-Palestinian student organization at the University of Michigan, said FBI agents, the Michigan State Police and local police officers detained but later released six activists whose homes were searched in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Personal belongings and electronics were also confiscated, according to the organization. At a third residence in Canton, no individuals were detained. At least one of the individuals was required to have a DNA sample taken, according to Philo. At one of the homes searched Wednesday, police forcibly entered after they negotiated entry for more than an hour to satisfy the search warrant, the attorney general's office said. Graduate Employees' Organization, a union representing graduate workers at the University of Michigan, said one of its members was among those detained and released and 'executors of the search warrants were reluctant to reveal their warrants or their reason for visiting these activists.' 'We strongly condemn the actions taken today and all past and present repression of political activism,' the union said in a news release. 'We urge University of Michigan administrators, the Regents of the University of Michigan, and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to end their campaign against students and stop putting graduate workers in harm's way.' Philo said that the multi-agency response to alleged vandalism was unwarranted. 'None of these students have any [history] of violence, none have prior criminal records, and none have been charged. They are 17-22 year olds and very much college students or recent grads,' Philo said. 'Why were three or more police agencies at every home? Why were they handcuffed during the searches?'
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Authorities raid 5 Michigan homes amid yearlong vandalism investigation into pro-Palestinian graffiti
Authorities raided five homes in southeastern Michigan on Wednesday as part of a yearlong investigation into pro-Palestinian vandalism targeting the homes of University of Michigan officials and others. Search warrants, authorized by a Michigan state court, were executed in Ann Arbor, Canton and Ypsilanti, according to a Thursday news release from the Michigan Department of Attorney General. The individuals whose homes were searched were not arrested, officials said. Two University of Michigan student organizations claim six were detained and later released. The search warrants were executed as part of the Michigan Department of Attorney General's investigation into at least 12 'coordinated and related' acts of vandalism and property damage that occurred in multiple Michigan counties between approximately February 2024 through March 2025, officials said. The estimated cost of the damage is about $100,000, according to authorities. 'Political slogans or messages' were placed at every vandalized site, the attorney general's office said. Graffiti displayed pro-Palestinian messages at most of the sites, photos show. Several University of Michigan administrators were among those targeted. The home of Erik Lundberg, the university's chief investment officer, was vandalized with the words 'Divest' and 'Free Palestine.' University of Michigan President Santa Ono's home was vandalized with graffiti that included the word 'intifada' in part. The home of Jordan Acker, a member of the university's Board of Regents, was also damaged – with a window broken and the words 'Free Palestine' written on his car. His law firm was also vandalized with pro-Palestinian language. Photos of provost Laurie McCauley's home likewise show shattered glass and the words 'No honor in genocide' graffitied on her fence. No charges have been filed against any of the people whose homes were searched, authorities said. The attorney general's office did not identify any suspects in the investigation. 'The University of Michigan condemns these criminal acts in the strongest possible terms,' the school said in a December statement after Acker's home was vandalized. 'They are abhorrent and, unfortunately, just the latest in a number of incidents where individuals have been harassed because of their work on behalf of the university. This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.' The Maurice & Jane Sugar Law Center for Economic & Social Justice, which is representing some of the individuals whose homes were raided, said most are University of Michigan students. When asked about the vandalism at Acker's home, the lawyers denied that their clients were involved. John Philo, the legal director at the law center, said the raids are a testament to the 'state attorney general's cooperation with the Trump administration's FBI to target student protesters who advocate a particular viewpoint - for their school's divestment from Israel.' The incidents followed months of tensions between the university's administration and pro-Palestinian students who had in 2024 demanded university leaders divest from Israel amid its war in Gaza. Other instances of vandalism and property damage occurred at the Jewish Federation of Detroit, an officer's home, a country club, a car dealership, an office and the historic Wilcox House, according to the attorney general's office. The alleged vandalisms were committed in the middle of the night, and in one instance, children were sleeping at a residence but were awoken, according to the attorney general's office. Windows were smashed in several cases and 'noxious chemical substances were propelled' into homes on two occasions. The TAHRIR Coalition, a pro-Palestinian student organization at the University of Michigan, said FBI agents, the Michigan State Police and local police officers detained but later released six activists whose homes were searched in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Personal belongings and electronics were also confiscated, according to the organization. At a third residence in Canton, no individuals were detained. At one of the homes searched Wednesday, police forcibly entered after they negotiated entry for more than an hour to satisfy the search warrant, the attorney general's office said. Graduate Employees' Organization, a union representing graduate workers at the University of Michigan, said one of its members was among those detained and released and 'executors of the search warrants were reluctant to reveal their warrants or their reason for visiting these activists.' 'We strongly condemn the actions taken today and all past and present repression of political activism,' the union said in a news release. 'We urge University of Michigan administrators, the Regents of the University of Michigan, and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to end their campaign against students and stop putting graduate workers in harm's way.' Philo said that the alleged vandalism 'may be a misdemeanor under city, county, and/or state law.' 'Unless there are some unknown pool of facts, the vandalism that is alleged to have occurred at this point (spray painting/use of markers with water soluble materials) is far less than occurs on any given football weekend in Ann Arbor, East Lansing, or other college community,' he said. 'While nothing anyone would endorse, [the alleged vandalism] does not seem to warrant the scope and scale of FBI, State Police, and local law enforcement activity that occurred this morning.'
CNN
24-04-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Authorities raid 5 Michigan homes amid yearlong vandalism investigation into pro-Palestinian graffiti
Authorities raided five homes in southeastern Michigan on Wednesday as part of a yearlong investigation into pro-Palestinian vandalism targeting the homes of University of Michigan officials and others. Search warrants, authorized by a Michigan state court, were executed in Ann Arbor, Canton and Ypsilanti, according to a Thursday news release from the Michigan Department of Attorney General. The individuals whose homes were searched were not arrested, officials said. Two University of Michigan student organizations claim six were detained and later released. The search warrants were executed as part of the Michigan Department of Attorney General's investigation into at least 12 'coordinated and related' acts of vandalism and property damage that occurred in multiple Michigan counties between approximately February 2024 through March 2025, officials said. The estimated cost of the damage is about $100,000, according to authorities. 'Political slogans or messages' were placed at every vandalized site, the attorney general's office said. Graffiti displayed pro-Palestinian messages at most of the sites, photos show. Several University of Michigan administrators were among those targeted. The home of Erik Lundberg, the university's chief investment officer, was vandalized with the words 'Divest' and 'Free Palestine.' University of Michigan President Santa Ono's home was vandalized with graffiti that included the word 'intifada' in part. The home of Jordan Acker, a member of the university's Board of Regents, was also damaged – with a window broken and the words 'Free Palestine' written on his car. His law firm was also vandalized with pro-Palestinian language. Photos of provost Laurie McCauley's home likewise show shattered glass and the words 'No honor in genocide' graffitied on her fence. No charges have been filed against any of the people whose homes were searched, authorities said. The attorney general's office did not identify any suspects in the investigation. 'The University of Michigan condemns these criminal acts in the strongest possible terms,' the school said in a December statement after Acker's home was vandalized. 'They are abhorrent and, unfortunately, just the latest in a number of incidents where individuals have been harassed because of their work on behalf of the university. This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.' The Maurice & Jane Sugar Law Center for Economic & Social Justice, which is representing some of the individuals whose homes were raided, said most are University of Michigan students. When asked about the vandalism at Acker's home, the lawyers denied that their clients were involved. John Philo, the legal director at the law center, said the raids are a testament to the 'state attorney general's cooperation with the Trump administration's FBI to target student protesters who advocate a particular viewpoint - for their school's divestment from Israel.' The incidents followed months of tensions between the university's administration and pro-Palestinian students who had in 2024 demanded university leaders divest from Israel amid its war in Gaza. Other instances of vandalism and property damage occurred at the Jewish Federation of Detroit, an officer's home, a country club, a car dealership, an office and the historic Wilcox House, according to the attorney general's office. The alleged vandalisms were committed in the middle of the night, and in one instance, children were sleeping at a residence but were awoken, according to the attorney general's office. Windows were smashed in several cases and 'noxious chemical substances were propelled' into homes on two occasions. The TAHRIR Coalition, a pro-Palestinian student organization at the University of Michigan, said FBI agents, the Michigan State Police and local police officers detained but later released six activists whose homes were searched in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Personal belongings and electronics were also confiscated, according to the organization. At a third residence in Canton, no individuals were detained. At one of the homes searched Wednesday, police forcibly entered after they negotiated entry for more than an hour to satisfy the search warrant, the attorney general's office said. Graduate Employees' Organization, a union representing graduate workers at the University of Michigan, said one of its members was among those detained and released and 'executors of the search warrants were reluctant to reveal their warrants or their reason for visiting these activists.' 'We strongly condemn the actions taken today and all past and present repression of political activism,' the union said in a news release. 'We urge University of Michigan administrators, the Regents of the University of Michigan, and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to end their campaign against students and stop putting graduate workers in harm's way.' Philo said that the alleged vandalism 'may be a misdemeanor under city, county, and/or state law.' 'Unless there are some unknown pool of facts, the vandalism that is alleged to have occurred at this point (spray painting/use of markers with water soluble materials) is far less than occurs on any given football weekend in Ann Arbor, East Lansing, or other college community,' he said. 'While nothing anyone would endorse, [the alleged vandalism] does not seem to warrant the scope and scale of FBI, State Police, and local law enforcement activity that occurred this morning.'
CNN
24-04-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Authorities raid 5 Michigan homes amid yearlong vandalism investigation into pro-Palestinian graffiti
Authorities raided five homes in southeastern Michigan on Wednesday as part of a yearlong investigation into pro-Palestinian vandalism targeting the homes of University of Michigan officials and others. Search warrants, authorized by a Michigan state court, were executed in Ann Arbor, Canton and Ypsilanti, according to a Thursday news release from the Michigan Department of Attorney General. The individuals whose homes were searched were not arrested, officials said. Two University of Michigan student organizations claim six were detained and later released. The search warrants were executed as part of the Michigan Department of Attorney General's investigation into at least 12 'coordinated and related' acts of vandalism and property damage that occurred in multiple Michigan counties between approximately February 2024 through March 2025, officials said. The estimated cost of the damage is about $100,000, according to authorities. 'Political slogans or messages' were placed at every vandalized site, the attorney general's office said. Graffiti displayed pro-Palestinian messages at most of the sites, photos show. Several University of Michigan administrators were among those targeted. The home of Erik Lundberg, the university's chief investment officer, was vandalized with the words 'Divest' and 'Free Palestine.' University of Michigan President Santa Ono's home was vandalized with graffiti that included the word 'intifada' in part. The home of Jordan Acker, a member of the university's Board of Regents, was also damaged – with a window broken and the words 'Free Palestine' written on his car. His law firm was also vandalized with pro-Palestinian language. Photos of provost Laurie McCauley's home likewise show shattered glass and the words 'No honor in genocide' graffitied on her fence. No charges have been filed against any of the people whose homes were searched, authorities said. The attorney general's office did not identify any suspects in the investigation. 'The University of Michigan condemns these criminal acts in the strongest possible terms,' the school said in a December statement after Acker's home was vandalized. 'They are abhorrent and, unfortunately, just the latest in a number of incidents where individuals have been harassed because of their work on behalf of the university. This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.' The Maurice & Jane Sugar Law Center for Economic & Social Justice, which is representing some of the individuals whose homes were raided, said most are University of Michigan students. When asked about the vandalism at Acker's home, the lawyers denied that their clients were involved. John Philo, the legal director at the law center, said the raids are a testament to the 'state attorney general's cooperation with the Trump administration's FBI to target student protesters who advocate a particular viewpoint - for their school's divestment from Israel.' The incidents followed months of tensions between the university's administration and pro-Palestinian students who had in 2024 demanded university leaders divest from Israel amid its war in Gaza. Other instances of vandalism and property damage occurred at the Jewish Federation of Detroit, an officer's home, a country club, a car dealership, an office and the historic Wilcox House, according to the attorney general's office. The alleged vandalisms were committed in the middle of the night, and in one instance, children were sleeping at a residence but were awoken, according to the attorney general's office. Windows were smashed in several cases and 'noxious chemical substances were propelled' into homes on two occasions. The TAHRIR Coalition, a pro-Palestinian student organization at the University of Michigan, said FBI agents, the Michigan State Police and local police officers detained but later released six activists whose homes were searched in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Personal belongings and electronics were also confiscated, according to the organization. At a third residence in Canton, no individuals were detained. At one of the homes searched Wednesday, police forcibly entered after they negotiated entry for more than an hour to satisfy the search warrant, the attorney general's office said. Graduate Employees' Organization, a union representing graduate workers at the University of Michigan, said one of its members was among those detained and released and 'executors of the search warrants were reluctant to reveal their warrants or their reason for visiting these activists.' 'We strongly condemn the actions taken today and all past and present repression of political activism,' the union said in a news release. 'We urge University of Michigan administrators, the Regents of the University of Michigan, and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to end their campaign against students and stop putting graduate workers in harm's way.' Philo said that the alleged vandalism 'may be a misdemeanor under city, county, and/or state law.' 'Unless there are some unknown pool of facts, the vandalism that is alleged to have occurred at this point (spray painting/use of markers with water soluble materials) is far less than occurs on any given football weekend in Ann Arbor, East Lansing, or other college community,' he said. 'While nothing anyone would endorse, [the alleged vandalism] does not seem to warrant the scope and scale of FBI, State Police, and local law enforcement activity that occurred this morning.'
