Dana's Dispatch: Civil Rights Litigation, Flint Water Indictments, Consumer Alerts & More!

--------------------------------------------------------------- AG Nessel Argues Before Michigan Supreme Court On Major Gay Rights Case Elliott-Larsen was enacted to identify and correct inequalities in many aspects of public and private life, from employment to housing, to public accommodations and education. Failing to recognize those protections for all LGBTQ residents causes severe and ongoing harm. Michigan’s Attorney General on Wednesday asked the state Supreme Court to overturn key decisions and extend the state’s anti-discrimination law to gays and lesbians. People who claim discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation have not been protected by Michigan’s civil rights law because the word “sex” in the law has been interpreted only as a reference to gender. But Attorney General Dana Nessel, pointing to landmark gay rights decisions in federal courts, said it’s time for the state Supreme Court to recognize that Michigan’s anti-bias law means much more. In 2019, Rouch World, an event center in Sturgis, declined to host a same-sex wedding, saying it conflicted with the owner’s religious beliefs. That same year, a hair-removal business declined to serve a transgender woman. The Court of Claims said in 2020 that it was bound by a Court of Appeals decision decades earlier that found sexual orientation wasn’t covered by the civil rights law. But Nessel, who is gay, said denying protections to lesbians and gays is a “severe and ongoing harm.” [READ MORE]( Sara Powers, CBS Detroit (March 2, 2022) AG Nessel Argues Before Michigan Supreme Court On Major Gay Rights Case Retrieved from: [AG Nessel Argues Before Michigan Supreme Court On Major Gay Rights Case]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Nine Indicted on Criminal Charges in Flint Water Crisis Investigation “I hope the people of Flint see this ruling for what it is, a true victory for them. Our team is confident in our methods and committed to the pursuit of justice for those impacted by the water crisis.” — Fadwa Hammoud Michigan Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy announced that after 12 months of grand jury proceedings, nine individuals have been indicted on a total of 42 counts related to a series of alleged actions and inactions that created the historic injustice of the Flint Water Crisis. The Chief Judge of the Seventh Circuit in Genesee County appointed Judge David Newblatt to act as a one-man grand jury to investigate crimes related to the crisis. Indictments were issued after the grand juror listened to and evaluated the evidence presented. The secrecy provisions over the grand jury proceedings do not allow for discussion of the grand jury evidence underlying the charges at this time. However, going forward, the cases will proceed in the respective courts to which they are assigned, presided over by those judges in accordance with Michigan law. "This case has nothing to do with partisanship. It has to do with human decency, resurrecting the complete abandonment of the people of Flint, and finally, finally, holding people accountable for the unspeakable alleged atrocities that harmed this city for years," said Prosecutor Worthy. "Pure and simple this case is about justice, truth, accountability, poisoned children, lost lives, shattered families that are still not whole, and simply giving a damn about all of humanity." [READ MORE]( Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, Wayne County (March 1, 2022) Nine Indicted on Criminal Charges in Flint Water Crisis Investigation Retrieved from: [Nine Indicted on Criminal Charges in Flint Water Crisis Investigation]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Judge: No FBI entrapment for 3 in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot, case will move forward As expected, the defense has worked to skew the facts of this case to undermine the integrity of the charges. This ruling makes clear these defendants were not pressured by law enforcement into committing these crimes. They must be held accountable for their actions. A judge ruled Tuesday that three men charged in a plot to kidnap Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer before the 2020 election were not entrapped by the FBI. Joseph Morrison, Pete Musico and Paul Bellar will face a tentatively scheduled pretrial examination in August and trial in September, Jackson County Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson said during a video conference. They are accused of providing materials to support terrorist acts, attempting to commit a felony as an associate or member of gang, and gun charges. They are also accused of aiding six others who are charged in federal court with conspiring to kidnap Whitmer, including two men who pleaded guilty and four who are scheduled to stand trial March 8 in Grand Rapids. Five more are also charged in state courts. The FBI said it broke up a plot. Investigators have described Morrison, Bellar and Musico as anti-government extremists who were angry over coronavirus policies and restrictions imposed by the governor during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. [READ MORE]( Associated Press, Click on Detroit (March 1, 2022) Judge: No FBI entrapment for 3 in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot, case will move forward Retrieved from: [Judge: No FBI entrapment for 3 in Gov. Whitmer kidnap plot, case will move forward]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Michigan joins national investigation into effects of TikTok on kids Recent reports of social media’s impact on the mental and physical health of kids raise serious questions among attorneys general across the nation. Ultimately, we are concerned about protecting our youth and are focusing the investigation on techniques used by TikTok to encourage young users to engage with the platform more frequently, and for longer periods of time. Photo courtesy of Kiichiro Sato, Associated Press The state of Michigan has joined a nationwide investigation into whether or not TikTok is harmful to younger residents. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said Thursday that they are examining whether the company violated state consumer protection laws that put the public at risk. The investigation into TikTok providing and promoting its social media platform to children and young adults even though social media use is associated with physical and mental health harms to young people. The AG’s office said the investigation will look into the harms such usage causes to young users and what TikTok knew about those harms. The investigation focuses, among other things, on the techniques utilized by TikTok to boost young user engagement, including increasing the duration of time spent on the platform and frequency of engagement with the platform. In May 2021, a bipartisan coalition of 44 Attorneys General urged Facebook to abandon its plans to launch a version of Instagram for children under 13. In November 2021, Attorneys General from across the country announced their investigation into Meta Platforms, Inc., formerly known as Facebook, for providing and promoting its social media platform Instagram to kids. Leading the investigation into both Meta and TikTok are Attorneys General from California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Vermont, who are joined by a broad group of Attorneys General nationwide. [READ MORE]( Ken Haddad, Click on Detroit (March 3, 2022) Michigan joins national investigation into effects of TikTok on kids Retrieved from: [Michigan joins national investigation into effects of TikTok on kids]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Montcalm Co. Woman Convicted for Stealing from Elderly Woman Protecting Michigan’s most vulnerable adults has been a top priority for me. This guilty verdict is a win in the fight against elder abuse in our state, and I appreciate the work done by our partners in Montcalm County that helped build this case. A Montcalm County woman charged with embezzling thousands from a 90-year-old woman was convicted following a jury trial, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel Thursday. On Thursday, a jury found Miller guilty on all counts after spending less than a day deliberating. Miller’s bond was revoked and she has been taken into custody. Miller was also charged with one count resisting and obstructing a police officer, which stems from her arrest on the embezzlement charges. That charge is currently pending in a separate case. Miller’s husband, Kelly Miller, along with her brother Tim Riva were also charged in connection to the embezzlement. Both Miller and Riva pleaded no contest in Feb. A sentencing date has yet to be scheduled. [READ MORE]( 9 and 10 News Site Staff, 9 and 10 News (March 3, 2022) Montcalm Co. Woman Convicted for Stealing from Elderly Woman Retrieved from: [Montcalm Co. Woman Convicted for Stealing from Elderly Woman]( --------------------------------------------------------------- AG Nessel shares reminders as Michiganders look to support Ukraine As we all watch the images coming out of Ukraine, it’s natural to look for ways to help. I’m urging Michiganders to take the necessary steps to research any charities claiming to help the people of Ukraine before you donate. It’s important to verify your money is going to entities that will truly make a difference. Friday Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel shared important reminders as many Michiganders are looking for ways to support Ukrainians during the crisis with Russia. Nessel reissued her Crowdfunding for Donations Consumer Alert to provide generous individuals with the tools needed to give wisely. Prior to giving, review AGCharitySearch, the Attorney General’s website, or call the Attorney General’s Charitable Trust Section at 517-335-7571 to inquire about a charity. Most charities and solicitors of charitable contributions must register with the Attorney General’s Office. Although the registration is not an endorsement of a charity, it does mean that the organization has filed the appropriate annual financial statements and other documents with the Attorney General. “Remember that you can always politely end the call,” Nessel’s office said. [READ MORE]( Krystle Holleman, WILX (March 4, 2022) AG Nessel shares reminders as Michiganders look to support Ukraine Retrieved from: [AG Nessel shares reminders as Michiganders look to support Ukraine]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for being a part of Dana's re-election campaign! Sending emails is a crucial way to keep supporters like you updated on Dana's fight for justice and progress. Plus, this campaign is fueled by grassroots supporters like you! 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