Dana's Dispatch: Cold Case Murder Arrest, Election Official Charged with Ballot Tampering, Unemployment Benefits Settlement, & More!

[logo]( Attorney General Nessel Issues Statement on the Death of Tyre Nichols "Having viewed the gut-wrenching videos of the unconscionable and brutal attack upon Tyre Nichols, my heart aches for Tyre, his family, and everyone in America who values human life. No American in Michigan, Tennessee, or any other state of the union should be fearful they will suffer the same fate as Tyre Nichols. I remain committed to doing all I can to ensure the necessary reforms are implemented and that all of Michigan feels safe, secure, and respected by law enforcement. The urgency of change needed in police forces across the nation, and in our own state, is clear. For the past 4 years, the Michigan Department of Attorney General has vigorously promoted policing reforms, and highlighted the work of law enforcement officers who work diligently to protect our state residents, while holding police who trespass on the rights of our community members criminally accountable. I have proposed more and better training for Michigan’s police forces, additional investment in MCOLES to ensure officers who lack the basic skillset necessary to honor the badge and the communities they serve are stripped of licensure, and other important measures. Despite previous efforts that have stalled their success, I am hopeful that all stakeholders can work across political lines to ensure that they will finally come to fruition."     Judge OKs $20M deal over jobless aid determinations A judge has approved a $20 million class-action settlement covering thousands of people who were wrongly accused of fraud by Michigan when seeking unemployment benefits. Court of Claims Judge Douglas Shapiro signed off on the deal last week, saying it was superior to other ways to compensate people who were victims of an automated computer system in 2013-15. People were accused of cheating to get jobless aid. They were forced to repay money, along with substantial penalties, before the Unemployment Insurance Agency finally acknowledged widespread errors that affected more than 40,000 people. Although refunds were issued, the state still was sued by people who argued that their due-process rights – a right to be heard – were violated while they tried to untangle themselves. The Michigan Supreme Court last summer said people can seek financial relief when the state violates their rights – a groundbreaking opinion. More than 8,000 people have been identified as possible beneficiaries of the settlement so far, Shapiro said. “While this settlement cannot undo the hardships these residents faced, it does secure the long overdue relief that they deserve,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said. [READ MORE]( Associated Press, The Detroit News (January 23, 2023) Judge OKs $20M deal over jobless aid determinations Retrieved from: [Judge OKs $20M deal over jobless aid determinations](   AG Nessel ready to defend, help clarify Michigan’s new abortion right In one vote, Michigan abortion rights went from a possible 90-year-old ban to now a constitutional guarantee. Photo courtesy of MLive But how does this new “fundamental right” thanks to Proposal 3 affect abortion restrictions that have been on the books? The answer, experts have said, will play out in the legislature, the courts and possibly the attorney general’s office. Michigan AG Dana Nessel is already playing a role in actualizing this constitutional right, she said last week during a press event hosted by the Democratic Attorney Generals Association. “We’ve already gotten inquiries from the governor’s office, from the legislature,” Nessel said in response to an MLive question. As legal representation for state agencies, the AG’s office can provide advice on how Prop 3 affects them. Nessel specifically mentioned the Department of Health and Human Services, for example. “We will evaluate challenges if and when they come into the state,” she said, “and we’ll continue to provide advice to our partners when they request it.” “Michigan is now a reproductive rights sanctuary for much of the Midwest,” Nessel said, “where we offer full protections for abortion, birth control, the management and care of miscarriages and fertility treatment.” [READ MORE]( Ben Orner, MLive (January 24, 2023) AG Nessel ready to defend, help clarify Michigan’s new abortion right Retrieved from: [AG Nessel ready to defend, help clarify Michigan’s new abortion right](   Ohio men arrested in Lenawee Co brutal cold case murder Two Ohio men, one from Toledo, have been arrested and charged in connection to a Lenawee County homicide from the 90s, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. The AG’s office said U.S. Marshalls arrested Michael Sepulveda, 49, of Toledo, and Richardo Sepulveda, 51, of Cincinnati, on Tuesday in connection to the 1997 killing of “John Doe.” The men are being extradited on a series of charges including first degree premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit first degree premeditated murder, assault with intent to main, conspiracy to commit assault with intent to maim, tampering with evidence, and conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence. The owner of a cornfield in Blissfield Township called to report they found human remains on their property in November of 1997, according to a statement from Nessel’s office. Police found a man’s body without a head or hands. His clothes had been removed. Officers found what appeared to be saw striations on the ends of his bones. The victim’s body still has not been identified. “Michigan State Police worked with multiple local and federal law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to gather evidence and establish a timeline of events,” Nessel said in a statement. “I am grateful for their persistence in pursuing this case. All crime victims deserve justice regardless of how long it takes to receive it.” [READ MORE]( WTVG Staff, WTVG (January 24, 2023) Ohio men arrested in Lenawee Co brutal cold case murder Retrieved from:[Ohio men arrested in Lenawee Co brutal cold case murder](   Flint Twp. election official charged with ballot tampering takes plea deal Genesee County's former elections supervisor, charged with ballot tampering in the August 2020 primary, reaches a plea deal with prosecutors. Image courtesy of Midland Daily News 59-year-old Kathy Funk of Flint Township pled no contest to one count of misconduct in the office in Genesee County's 7th Judicial Circuit Court, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Wednesday. Funk was previously charged with ballot tampering and misconduct in office for her actions during the August 2020 primary where she served as Flint Township Clerk. Both charges are felonies punishable by up to five years in prison upon conviction. "Election officials must uphold the integrity of their position and ensure every vote is accurately counted," Nessel said in the release. "Those who abuse that commitment undermine the very foundation of our democracy and will be held accountable." [READ MORE]( Kara Berg, The Detroit News (January 20, 2023) Flint Twp. election official charged with ballot tampering takes plea deal Retrieved from: [Flint Twp. election official charged with ballot tampering takes plea deal](   Parole reversed for man accused of sexually assaulting 19-year-old woman in Livingston County In 1993 19-year-old Wendy Jo Morrison was on her way home from her waitressing job when she was run off the road, raped, and beaten by Floyd Jarvi in a manner so vicious she is lucky to be alive. Video courtesy of Brandon Carr, Digital Content Producer, WDIV Jarvi pleaded no contest in 1994 and was sentenced to 25-60 years in jail. He became eligible for parole in 2014 but was turned down each year until 2022 when Morrison could not attend the hearing. When the Livingston County Prosecutor failed to file paperwork opposing the parole for Jarvi, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel stepped in. “My perspective is when something like this happens and if the Department of Attorney General isn’t going to stand by your side when you’ve been the victim of a heinous and assaultive crime, who is,” said Nessel. [READ MORE]( Mara MacDonald, WDIV (January 27, 2023) Parole reversed for man accused of sexually assaulting 19-year-old woman in Livingston County Retrieved from: [Parole reversed for man accused of sexually assaulting 19-year-old woman in Livingston County](   Former public safety director arraigned on assault and battery charge A former Bay City Public Safety director was arraigned Thursday on a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery. Michael Cecchini, 56, was charged earlier this week in connection with an incident in which he hit an 18-year-old with a flashlight. Another teenager recorded most of the incident on their cell phone. Cecchini retired from his position on Oct. 2, shortly after the incident. “Law enforcement officers are not exempt from the law and must conduct themselves accordingly in order to gain and maintain the public’s trust,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “Investigating breaches of that trust is a priority for my department, and my Public Integrity Unit will continue to work with, and at the request of Prosecutors, across the state," Nessel said. [READ MORE]( UpNorthLive Newsroom, (January 26, 2023) Former public safety director arraigned on assault and battery charge Retrieved from: [Former public safety director arraigned on assault and battery charge](   KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DANA: [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Web Site]( Any donor history information in this email reflects what we have on file for this specific email address. 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