Dana's Dispatch: Justice for Survivors, Historic Opioid Settlement, Election Integrity & More!

--------------------------------------------------------------- Attorney General Dana Nessel Helps Sexual Assault Victims Reach Justice Recent events may lead sexual assault survivors to believe your case won’t be taken seriously. Nothing could be further from the truth at the Michigan Department of Attorney General. We’re here to help, and our experienced staff always places the needs of victims first. [READ MORE]( Protecting Michigan Foundation, Protecting Michigan Foundation Facebook (March 8, 2022) Sexual Assault PSA Retrieved from: [Sexual Assault PSA]( --------------------------------------------------------------- MI AG Dana Nessel Asks Constituents to Remember a Time Before Birth Control Was Legal Each of the radical Republicans running to replace me as attorney general think politicians should get to vote on your right to use birth control. As AG, I’ll continue fighting to keep politicians out of your bedroom. [READ MORE]( Friends of Dana Nessel, Dana Nessel Facebook (March 11, 2022) Remember Campaign Ad Retrieved from: [Remember Campaign Ad]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Michigan to Receive Nearly $800 Million as Part of Historic Opioid Settlements After three years of negotiations, this settlement will finally hold drug companies accountable for the devastating impact the opioid epidemic has had on communities across our state and begin the healing process. Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Monday that Michigan will receive nearly $800 million over 18 years as part of the historic opioid settlements. The country’s three major pharmaceutical distributors – Cardinal, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen – and opioid manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson – will pay up to $26 billion nationwide “I took legal action once I took office to try to recoup money for the devastating impact that the opioid epidemic has had on the communities across our state,” Nessel said. “I am pleased to see our work pay off with this historic settlement that will bring Michigan communities millions of dollars to support abatement efforts. I know that no amount of money will make whole the thousands of Michigan families impacted by opioids, but this is an important victory in a hard-fought battle.” The pharmaceutical distributors will begin releasing funds to a national administrator on April 2. Money will then start flowing to state and local governments in the second or third quarter in 2022. [READ MORE]( 9 & 10 News Site Staff, 9 & 10 News (March 7, 2022) Michigan to Receive Nearly $800 Million as Part of Historic Opioid Settlements Retrieved from: [Michigan to Receive Nearly $800 Million as Part of Historic Opioid Settlements]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Wayland man, Grand Rapids woman plead guilty to human trafficking Our partnerships with local law enforcement agencies like the Wayland Police Department make it possible to pursue these predators wherever they are operating in Michigan. My office will continue to hold accountable anyone who tries to exploit vulnerable individuals for profit. A Wayland man and a Grand Rapids woman pleaded guilty to human trafficking. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Tuesday that 52-year-old Robert Henry Grigsby and 40-year-old Vanessa Anne Phillips each pleaded guilty to one count of human trafficking, forced labor resulting in commercial sexual activity. Wayland Police began their investigation into the matter in October 2018, which ended in the discovery of evidence of illegal actives relating to trafficking and commercial sexual activity. The two were accused of conducting a criminal enterprise comprised of prostitution and sex trafficking of numerous women in Grigsby's home in Wayland, and other locations throughout the greater Grand Rapids area. Monday, Grigsby was sentenced to 57 months to 15 years in prison. Nessel says the judge imposed the maximum term when sentencing Grigsby. According to the attorney general’s office, Phillips is scheduled to be sentenced on March 28. [READ MORE]( Karie Herringa, Fox 17 (March 8, 2022) Wayland man, Grand Rapids woman plead guilty to human trafficking Retrieved from: [Wayland man, Grand Rapids woman plead guilty to human trafficking]( --------------------------------------------------------------- MI nurse charged for not having nursing license Our Sentinel Project has made several visits to nursing homes as part of my department’s efforts to ensure residents are receiving quality care in a safe environment. Protecting Michigan’s most vulnerable adults remains a top priority for me and this department. Photo courtesy of WLNS, WLNS An Initiative from Attorney General Dana Nessel’s Health Care Fraud Division has one unlicensed nurse facing a felony charge. The Sentinel Project, an initiative by the Health Care Fraud Division, investigates complaints of resident neglect as well as elder abuse in nursing homes. Back in May 2021, representatives from the Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Division were investigating the Medilodge based in Sterling Heights. During the investigation into Medilodge, agents and staff from the AG’s office learned 41-year-old Mary Cheatham, a registered nurse, had her license suspended in March of 2021. State statute says that practicing as a licensed healthcare professional without a license is a four-year felony. A criminal complaint was filed against Cheatham in Macomb County’s 41A District Court, with Cheatham being arrested and charged on Friday. Additionally, the nurse was given a $10,000 personal recognizance bond. A probable cause conference has been scheduled before Judge Kimberley Wiegand on March 16. [READ MORE]( Izzy Martin, WLNS (March 8, 2022) MI nurse charged for not having nursing license Retrieved from: [MI nurse charged for not having nursing license]( --------------------------------------------------------------- State AG investigation of Boy Scouts leads to sexual abuse charges It remains imperative that sexual predators be held accountable, and one of my top priorities remains securing justice for survivors of abuse. We value our partnership with the Michigan State Police in this important investigation into the Boy Scouts of America. These charges are only the beginning. A New York man accused of sexually assaulting two children is the first person charged as part of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s investigation of sexual abuse involving the Boy Scouts of America. Mark Chapman, 51, was charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and eight counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, Nessel announced Wednesday. The alleged abuse, which dates back more than 20 years, occurred when Chapman was involved with the Boy Scouts of America and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Roseville. Nessel announced the joint investigation with the Michigan State Police in June 2021. The Attorney General’s Office is reviewing about 5,000 abuse claims from the Boy Scouts of America. So far, a review of 550 of the claims resulted in about 60 inquiries sent to state police for further investigation. People with knowledge of sexual abuse involving the Boy Scouts of America are encouraged to call the investigation’s tip line at 844-324-3374. [READ MORE]( Steve Neavling, Detroit Metro Times (March 9, 2022) State AG investigation of Boy Scouts leads to sexual abuse charges Retrieved from: [State AG investigation of Boy Scouts leads to sexual abuse charges]( --------------------------------------------------------------- AG: Former Flint Township Clerk broke seal on ballot container so votes inside couldn’t be recounted Election officials must uphold the integrity of their positions. Those who abuse that commitment undermine the very foundation of our democracy. Our department is committed to prosecuting election violations, regardless of the political party of the perpetrator. A former Flint Township Clerk is facing felony charges for ballot tampering related to the August 2020 Primary Election, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Kathy Funk has been charged with ballot tampering and misconduct in office -- both are 5-year felonies. Nessel said Funk purposely broke a seal on a ballot container so that the votes inside, under Michigan Election Law, could not be counted in an anticipated recount. Funk was running for re-election and narrowly prevailed in the unofficial count. “Election officials must uphold the integrity of their positions. Those who abuse that commitment undermine the very foundation of our democracy,” Nessel said. “Our department is committed to prosecuting election violations, regardless of the political party of the perpetrator." [READ MORE]( Kayla Clarke, Click on Detroit (March 11, 2022) AG: Former Flint Township Clerk broke seal on ballot container so votes inside couldn’t be recounted Retrieved from: [AG: Former Flint Township Clerk broke seal on ballot container so votes inside couldn’t be recounted]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Deal reached in lawsuit to resolve issues at Arbor Hills Landfill in Salem Township This settlement helps to address the years of health and safety concerns community members felt were going ignored. I appreciate the collaborative work done between my office and EGLE to reach this point. This is a comprehensive agreement with the landfill's new ownership to remedy outstanding issues for those who live and work in the surrounding area. A settlement has been reached in the longtime battle about issues at the Arbor Hills Landfill in Salem Township. Residents have been complaining about the odor for years. “When I moved here I didn’t realize the smell was so bad,” Northville Township resident Xuyn Go said. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel sued the landfill and accused it of not following certain protocols and procedures. On Thursday (March 10), Nessel announced that a settlement has been reached. “The settlement requires a resolution to issues at the landfill, as well as the commitment to fund environmentally beneficial projects and pay fines that amounted to more than $2.3 million,” Nessel said. As part of the agreement, the company that owns the landfill must operate as a free service for 10 years, install monitors to detect hydrogen sulfide and methane, and more. “Arbor hills is also required to install a vegetative buffer of spruce trees to reduce the transport of meticulous matter and odor from the landfill,” Nessel said. Resident David Horan said it’s progress. “It’s a step in the right direction. I mean, we’ve been waiting a long time for some type of enforcement and I think it’s a success,” Horan said. [READ MORE]( Victor Williams & Kayla Clarke, Click on Detroit (March 11, 2022) Deal reached in lawsuit to resolve issues at Arbor Hills Landfill in Salem Township Retrieved from: [Deal reached in lawsuit to resolve issues at Arbor Hills Landfill in Salem Township]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 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! [Will you chip in today to join Dana in the fight for a better tomorrow?]( [CHIP IN TO RE-ELECT DANA NESSEL >>]( KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DANA: Any donor history information in this email reflects what we have on file for this specific email address. 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