Dana's Dispatch: Protecting Reproductive Freedom, Preventing Animal Abuse, Combatting Human Trafficking & More!

--------------------------------------------------------------- Republican AG Challenger Matt DePerno Will Enforce Archaic Abortion Ban, Attorney General Dana Nessel Will Not Think who wins the race for Michigan Attorney General this fall doesn’t affect your life? Think again. [READ MORE]( Dana Nessel, Dana Nessel on Facebook (May 11, 2022) Republican AG Challenger Matt DePerno Will Enforce Archaic Ban, Attorney General Dana Nessel Will Not Retrieved from: [Republican AG Challenger Matt DePerno Will Enforce Archaic Ban, Attorney General Dana Nessel Will Not]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Dem AGs pledge to hold the line if Roe falls It’s my role as Attorney General to ensure the safety and welfare of my constituents, and I refuse to put their lives in jeopardy. It’s repugnant to me that Republicans like my opponent, Matt DePerno, want to take our state back in time and enforce a draconian, nearly century-old law that threatens the health, lives, and liberty of Michigan residents. With the heightened possibility that abortion rights could, in a matter of weeks, be an issue left to the states, attorney general candidates across the country are reminding voters of the stakes. “It’s my role to ensure the health, safety and welfare of my constituents and I’m not going to do anything to jeopardize their lives,” said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is running for reelection in November. “The AG is an absolutely pivotal position. We are not only the one authority with the power to prosecute cases in all counties in the state, but we also have unique oversight authorities when it comes to licensing and regulation.” Nessel, along with Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, is suing to strike down the state’s 1931 abortion ban, which would go back into effect if Roe falls, and has repeatedly gone after her opponent, Republican Matt DePerno, for promising to enforce that law that prohibits abortions even in cases of rape, incest or medical peril to the mother. “It’s repugnant to me that we’re going back in time a century or more,” Nessel, who recently revealed she had an abortion when she was pregnant with triplets, told POLITICO. “Who the hell do these Republicans think they are to make that decision for me?” DePerno, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, has pledged to enforce the state’s abortion ban with no exemptions for rape, incest or medical threat to the mother. He did not respond to additional questions from POLITICO about how he would approach the issue as attorney general. [READ MORE]( Alice Miranda Ollstein, Politico (May 9, 2022) Dem AGs pledge to hold the line if Roe falls Retrieved from: [Dem AGs pledge to hold the line if Roe falls]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Michigan's abortion ban is draconian and should be vacated, attorney general says Our policies on reproductive freedom are not at all in line with how Americans see their rights. Politicians do not belong in our doctor's offices. They don't belong in our bedrooms, and they should not be making these kinds of decisions on behalf of women across America. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel says she won't enforce her state's 1931 abortion law — and she's hoping the Michigan Supreme Court finds it unconstitutional, even if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down its Roe v. Wade decision. "I'm very hopeful," Nessel said on NBC's Meet the Press, that Michigan's Supreme Court will find the right to an abortion is assured by the state constitution's equal protection and due process clauses — "even if the United States Supreme Court decides otherwise." She also noted that earlier on Sunday's program, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, a Republican, refused to say whether he would sign legislation banning contraceptives, if such a measure were to reach his desk. "That is not in line at all with how Americans see their rights," Nessel said. "And politicians do not belong in our doctor's offices. They don't belong in our bedrooms, and they should not be making these kinds of decisions on behalf of the American public and on behalf of women across America." Even if Michigan's high court strikes down the 1931 law, Nessel said, abortion rights should be codified into the state constitution. A petition drive is currently underway in Michigan to put a reproductive rights amendment on the ballot for this November's election. [READ MORE]( Bill Chappell, NPR (May 9, 2022) Michigan's abortion ban is draconian and should be vacated, attorney general says Retrieved from: [Michigan's abortion ban is draconian and should be vacated, attorney general says]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Michigan required to create, enforce humane animal experimentation rules, Nessel said 40 years ago, Michigan passed a law to regulate the treatment of animals by research entities, but the requisite standards were never written, and facilities continue to operate without state oversight. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services must develop and implement the standards and registration required by Michigan law. The state health department should develop rules for humane animal experimentation and require facilities using experimentation to register with the state and comply with those rules, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a formal opinion released Monday. State Rep. Matt Koleszar, D-Plymouth, had requested the opinion in late March on the argument that the state had neglected a law regulating animal experimentation for about 40 years. The request was prompted in part by controversial cardiovascular research on dogs at the Louis M. Elliman Clinical Research Building at Wayne State University. Attorneys for Animals celebrated Nessel's opinion in a Monday statement as "carefully worded but decisive" in the group's fight against dog experimentation at Wayne State. The state public health code prohibits animal experimentation unless a facility is registered with the department, and requires facilities to be in compliance with "board standards" to maintain registration, according to Nessel's opinion. The Legislature created a nine-member Animal Research Advisory Board in 1978 to set up standards for humane treatment that the Department of Health and Human Services would administer. But through a series of reorganizations in 1997 and 2015, the board was abolished and its duties were transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services director, Nessel's opinion said. [READ MORE]( Beth LeBlanc, Detroit News (May 9, 2022) Michigan required to create, enforce humane animal experimentation rules, Nessel said Retrieved from: [Michigan required to create, enforce humane animal experimentation rules, Nessel said]( --------------------------------------------------------------- AG Dana Nessel Believes Democracy, Abortion Rights will Encourage Voter Turnout this Fall There is no nuance here. Democracy, reproductive freedom: it's all on the ballot this November. [READ MORE]( Dana Nessel, Dana Nessel on Facebook (May 14, 2022) AG Dana Nessel Believes Democracy, Abortion Rights will Encourage Voter Turnout this Fall Retrieved from: [AG Dana Nessel Believes Democracy, Abortion Rights will Encourage Voter Turnout this Fall]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Nessel joins coalition of 21 AGs applauding federal attempts to amend 'public charge' regulations Protecting access to key public programs is imperative for everyone, including immigrant families who have legally gained access to America. I applaud the Biden administration for revising these regulations, which will better ensure the health and safety of immigrant communities. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joins 20 other attorneys general in praising the Department of Homeland Security’s endeavors to amend “public charge” regulations. The attorney general’s office says the potential rule would support the protection of residents and immigrant families on the state level. In a joint letter, the coalition of attorneys general asks for harmful Trump-era regulations to be rescinded. "Protecting access to key public programs is imperative for everyone, including immigrant families,” says Nessel. “I applaud the Biden administration for revising these regulations, which will better ensure the health and safety of immigrant communities and beyond." A “public charge” is defined as a person who depends on cash aid or long-term care at a governmental institution, the attorney general’s office explains. We’re told the Trump administration made efforts to broaden the definition by including those who seek additional aid through supplementary governmental programs (e.g. Medicaid, SNAP, Section 8 housing assistance, etc.). [READ MORE]( Fox 17 Newsroom, Fox 17 (May 10, 2022) Nessel joins coalition of 21 AGs applauding federal attempts to amend 'public charge' regulations Retrieved from: [Nessel joins coalition of 21 AGs applauding federal attempts to amend 'public charge' regulations]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Oxford school board declines state attorney general’s second offer to investigate deadly high school shooting Despite this outcome, I will return to Oxford in the coming weeks and continue my work to be a resource to the community. This latest setback does not deter my efforts to share best practices across our state to help all schools improve the safety of their learning environments. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel made a second offer to the board of education at Oxford Community Schools to perform an independent investigation of the Oxford High School shooting. The board declined her offer. The Nov. 30, 2021 shooting left four students dead and seven other people injured, including a teacher. A 15-year-old student and his parents are facing several charges in connection with the shooting. The school district declined her initial offer in early December of 2021. Back then, Nessel said she has a team that is willing to step in and conduct a full comprehensive investigation of the events leading up to the shooting. “The school board’s unwillingness to partner with my department on this effort flies in the face of transparency,” Nessel said after the latest rejection. “The rejection sends a message that the board is more focused on limiting liability than responding to the loud outcry from the Oxford community to deliver greater peace of mind to the students, parents and educators that lived through this traumatic event." [READ MORE]( Kayla Clarke, Click on Detroit (May 11, 2022) Oxford school board declines state attorney general’s second offer to investigate deadly high school shooting Retrieved from: [Oxford school board declines state attorney general’s second offer to investigate deadly high school shooting]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Jackson County inmate convicted of sex crimes gets new charge for threatening judge Airing your grievances about public officials is one thing; making criminal threats against them is something else entirely. I refuse to normalize violent rhetoric meant to intimidate elected leaders & will continue to vigorously pursue those who make these kinds of threats. Christopher Shenberger has been charged with one count of communicating a false threat of terrorism, a 20-year felony, after mailing a threatening letter to Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Joyce Draganchuk. The judge sentenced Shenberger in September 2016 on multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in news release Thursday, May 12. Shenberger sent a threatening letter to Draganchuk in December 2021, relatied to his inability to be considered for parole because he did not complete a required sex offender program while incarcerated, officials said. The letter was addressed to Draganchuk by using obscenities in place of her full name, officials said. It also stated in part that if Shenberger was required to serve his maximum sentence, he would put everyone’s name on that docket on a slip of paper that would “go into a jar or whatever and who’s ever name (is picked) will be killed plain and simple,” officials said in the release. As Draganchuk serves in Ingham County, the case was referred to the Michigan AG. Shenberger is set to be arraigned on this new charge in the Ingham County 54-A District Court at a later date, officials said. [READ MORE]( Mitchell Kukulka, MLive (May 12, 2022) Jackson County inmate convicted of sex crimes gets new charge for threatening judge Retrieved from: [Jackson County inmate convicted of sex crimes gets new charge for threatening judge]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Jury finds DataMaster defendant guilty The crimes perpetrated in this case compromised the public's faith and confidence in the criminal justice system. I extend my appreciation to the jury and I remain grateful for the work of our PIU in coordination with MSP that brought this case to court. In 2020, Attorney General Dana Nessel charged Clark (Oxford) and David John (Kalamazoo) with falsifying service records related to certain diagnostic tests and repairs on DataMaster DMTs. The instrument DataMaster DMT (DataMaster Transportable) is more commonly referred to as a breathalyzer. It measures a driver’s breath alcohol concentration after police arrest them for suspected drunk driving. The attorney general’s Public Integrity Unit and Michigan State Police completed a four-month investigation that led to these criminal charges. John pleaded guilty to all nine charges he faced and was sentenced to 36 months of probation, with the first nine months served in the Kalamazoo County Jail. Clark opted for a trial which started Monday in Eaton County. He faced two counts of forgery of a public record, two counts of uttering and publishing and two counts of using a computer to commit a crime. The jury convicted Clark Thursday afternoon of all counts. [READ MORE]( Megan Viecelli, Fox 17 (May 12, 2022) Jury finds DataMaster defendant guilty Retrieved from: [Jury finds DataMaster defendant guilty]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's visit to Holland helps raise awareness for human trafficking Many times human trafficking victims don't know that they're being trafficked, or there is some sort of stigma attached. The Human Trafficking Commission's legislative package will help address that ambiguity in the eyes of the law and protect victims from undue prosecution. Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Attorney General, Michigan Department of Attorney General on Twitter Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel sat down with Ottawa County Sheriff Steve Kempker, Holland Mayor Nathan Bocks and Michigan Abolition Project community group leader for Holland Ashleigh O'Donnell on Friday to discuss the issue of human trafficking. "I came into town for the tulip festival," said Nessel, who walked in the Tulip Time Kinderparade Thursday, "and when you do have large events where you have lots of people coming in from out of town, large crowds, that's when you tend to see some exploitation occur, so I think it's a great idea to use this as an opportunity to address what some of these issues are and talk about what we can do preventatively and what we can do to help people if they are being trafficked." Law enforcement and anti-human trafficking advocates are working to spread the message that victims of sex trafficking, the most common form of human trafficking in Michigan, will not be criminalized under Michigan's prostitution laws if they come forward to seek help or report their traffickers. Nessel used the panel as an opportunity to highlight a package of reforms to human trafficking and prostitution laws that would, in part, create more avenues to help victims defend against and expunge offenses committed while a victim of human trafficking. Recognizing victims of human trafficking are sometimes forced into other criminal enterprises other than commercial sex, the law would allow for types of crimes other than prostitution committed while under the force or coercion of a trafficker to be set aside. [READ MORE]( Carolyn Muyskens, The Holland Sentinel (May 14, 2022) Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's visit to Holland helps raise awareness for human trafficking Retrieved from: [Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's visit to Holland helps raise awareness for human trafficking]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 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. If you have donated with a different email address, with a check, or with a spouse – thank you so much. 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