Draft:List of Michigan political scandals

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This is a list of political scandals which occurred in the U.S. State of Michigan. It is organized in reverse chronological order from most recent to oldest.

Politician is defined as "a person who is professionally involved in politics", and includes not only those elected to office, their staffs and appointees, but also those who routinely work in politics such as pollsters. Major officials of political parties and their staffs, as well as those elected by their party to be candidates are also included. Local politicians, mayors, sheriffs, and county officials should not be included.

Scandal is defined as "loss of, or damage to, reputation caused by actual or apparent violation of morality or propriety". Breaking the law is always considered a scandal. The finding of a public court is the sole method used to determine a violation of law, but it is not the sole method of determining a scandal.

Please note that all people are considered innocent until proven guilty. Allegations of misconduct do not imply guilt nor do admissions of guilt in the absence of a conviction. Investigations that end without a determination do not imply innocence.

Breaches of ethics, unproven crimes or cover-ups may or may not result in inclusion depending on the amount of publicity generated, and the seriousness of the crime, if any. Notoriety and notability are a major determinant of a scandal. Politicians who resign, quit, flee, or commit suicide while being investigated or threatened with investigation may also be included.

Different scandals on different dates may result in multiple listings.

The list does not include crimes that occur outside the politician's tenure (such as before or after his term in office) unless they specifically stem from acts made while in office, such as bribery, and discovered later.

Given the political nature of legislatures where the leading party has determining power, politicians who are Rebuked, Denounced, Censured, Admonished, Condemned, Suspended, Reprimanded, Found in Contempt, Found to have Acted Improperly, or of using Poor Judgment are not included unless the scandal is exceptional or leads to further action such as expulsion, conviction or resignation.

Executive pardons may or may not be mentioned, but do not erase the scandal. The verdict and legal proceedings are not affected by pardons, but may affect the sentence.

State of Michigan[edit]

  • Jewell Jones (D) State Representative from Inkster in the 11th District, was accused of driving under the influence of alcohol and resisting arrest. It was his second DUI arrest and was given credit for 61 days previously served. He was found guilty and given two years probation and 100 hours of community service. (2022)[1]
  • Bryan Posthumus (R) State Representative from Oakfield Township in the 73rd District, was arrested after rolling his jeep while drunk, which was his second offence. He was found guilty of Operating Under the Influence, his license was revoked for 30 days and he was sentenced to 15 days in jail, 2 years probation, 15 days of community service and fined. (2021)[2]
  • Larry C. Inman (R) State Representative from Wiliiamsburg, was charged with extortion, bribery and perjury for offering his vote to repeal the Michigan minimum wage in exchange for $30,000 in campaign contributions. Accusations ended with a mistrial and recall efforts failed, but he was removed from the Republican Party Caucus and denied access to his office and staff. (2019)[3]
  • Michigan Democratic Party was accused of shoddy bookkeeping and inaccuracies concerning bingo fundraisers. The Democratic Party (United States) Chairman Lon Johnson, demanded reform of the Michigan Party and turned the investigation over to the Federal Election Commission which fined the Michigan Party $500,000. (2017)[4]
  • John Kivela (D) State Representative from Marquette, was arrested for DWI for the second time and admitted he had a drinking problem. He was found guilty and then committed suicide. (2017)[5]
  • Brian Banks (politician) (D) State Representative from District 1, was convicted of fraud for filing false financial statements. He spent one night in jail and then resigned. (2017)[6]
  • Bert Johnson (Michigan politician) (D) State Senator from Highland Park, was accused of using government funds to pay a "ghost employee" who did no work and gave most of his salary back to Johnson. Johnson was indicted for conspiracy and theft. He was found guilty and sentenced to 90 days in jail with two years supervision. (2017)[7]
  • Virgil Smith, Jr. (D) State Senator of District 4, was accused of beating his ex-wife and shooting her car. He was convicted of assault and felony malicious destruction and was sentenced to ten months in jail with five years of probation. He resigned from the Senate. (2015)[8][9]
  • Todd Courser (R) State Representative and Tea Party supporter from District 82, was accused of perjury and misconduct in office for having an extra marital affair with fellow Michigan State Representative and Tea Party Republican Cindy Gamrat. He tried to hide his conduct by having an aide send out fake emails accusing him of being a homosexual. Courser resigned before expulsion. (2015)[10]
  • Cindy Gamrat (R) State Representative and Tea Party supporter from District 80, was accused of misconduct for abusing her office and misusing taxpayer resources to hide her extra-marital affair with Michigan State Representative and Tea Party Republican Todd Courser. She was expelled from the House by a 2/3 supermajority vote. (2015)[11]
  • Doug Sedenquist (R) Committeeman of the Michigan Republican Party, was accused of threatening his wife of health care violations if she did not drop the divorce proceeding against him. He was found guilty of extortion and using a computer to commit a crime and sentenced to three 20 years in jail. After he was convicted, he resigned. (2014)[12]

See also:[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Beth LeBlanc (March 17, 2022). "Jones gets two years' probation on drunken driving, resisting arrest convictions". detroitnews.com.
  2. ^ Paul Egan (July 23, 2021). "GOP lawmaker from western Michigan gets 15 days in jail for drunken driving". freep.com.
  3. ^ Mikenzie Frost (December 12, 2019). "Rep. Larry Inman returns to work after verdict; no access to office, caucus or committees". upnorthlive.com.
  4. ^ "Michigan Democratic Party fined $500,000 over bingo games". apnews.com. June 9, 2017.
  5. ^ Paul Egan (May 10, 2017). "Michigan Rep. John Kivela dies of apparent suicide after 2nd DUI arrest". freep.com.
  6. ^ Matt Helms (February 6, 2017). "State Rep. Brian Banks resigns in plea deal over falsified documents". freep.com.
  7. ^ Nick Monacelli (September 6, 2018). "Former Michigan State Sen. Bert Johnson sentenced to 90 days in jail, Johnson hired 'ghost employee' to pay off personal debt". clickondetroit.com.
  8. ^ Elisha Anderson (February 11, 2016). "State Sen. Virgil Smith to resign as part of plea deal". freep.com.
  9. ^ Elisha Anderson (March 29, 2016). "Sen. Virgil Smith goes directly to jail, collects $71K". freep.com.
  10. ^ "Republican Todd Courser Resigns After Affair With Cindy Gamrat". nbcnews.com. September 11, 2016.
  11. ^ Jonathan Oosting (September 11, 2015). "Todd Courser resigns, Cindy Gamrat expelled from Michigan House in wake of sex scandal". mlive.com.
  12. ^ Aaron Boehm (June 17, 2016). "Court of appeals rules on conviction, sentencing of Escanaba man". www.uppermichiganssource.com.
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