You Won't Believe The Shocking Sex Allegations In Affidavits Against Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

The allegations against Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings continue to heat up as Attorney General Bill Schuette's prosecution moves forward.

According to MLIve, sworn affidavits from alleged victims paint a damning picture... 

"Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III allegedly paid for things like rent, YMCA memberships and methadone treatments in return for sex, according to witness statements.

Six witnesses provided affidavits, which detail the husband and father of three's alleged abuse of power and relationships with prostitutes.

The women who were designated as prostitutes in the affidavits are referred to as W-1, W-2, W-3, W-4 and W-5; with W-6 representing the woman Dunnings allegedly induced into prostitution.

The affidavit was filed by Ingham County Sheriff's Office Detective Amber Kenny-Hinojosa.

Dunnings, who has served as Ingham County's prosecutor since 1997, faces 15 charges across three counties over his alleged patronage of prostitutes from 2010-15. He faces 10 counts of engaging in prostitution, four counts of willful neglect of duty and one count of pandering prostitution.

If found guilty on all charges, the 63-year-old faces 26½ years in prison.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette's office said the 2015 FBI human trafficking investigation of Tyrone Smith led to Dunnings. Smith, who had previously served 15 years for second-degree murder, recruited Lansing-based women for his interstate sex operation, according to a press release from the Justice Department.
Stuart Dunnings III booking photo.

Further federal investigation into Smith, who remains without a sentence, led to Ingham County's top prosecutor, according to the press release.

It is not noted whether the six witnesses listed in the affidavit were involved with Smith's sex trafficking operation or not."

Read more HERE

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com

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What Is Lansing Hiding? New Chatfield Legislation Subjects Legislators To FOIA

State Rep. Lee Chatfield

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)


State Rep. Lee Chatfield is pushing for more government accountability in new legislation the freshman lawmaker unveiled this week.

"“I believe that any elected official who opposes transparency is unfit to hold public office and I feel very strongly about that,” Chatfield said in a press release. “I am very proud to support this legislation and am very thankful to be part of this much-needed reform.”

The release says the legislation will finally subject legislators to FOIA!

"The bill package will create the Legislative Open Records Act (LORA) as part of FOIA, as well as modify other areas of FOIA as they relate to the legislative and executive branches of government."  

>>>Read the full release below:

"Rep. Chatfield today participated in a bipartisan press conference to unveil a package of bills to increase government transparency.

Perfectly timed during Sunshine Week, a nationwide celebration of access to public information, the bipartisan legislation will reform Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

“Transparency is not a partisanship issue,” said Rep. Chatfield, R-Levering. “Transparency is about people and I don’t believe people can have faith in their government if it fails to set an example for honesty and openness.

“It has been said that sunshine is the best astringent for a cure,” Chatfield continued. “I think it is appropriate this week to let the sunshine in and that we set a new standard in the state of Michigan, not only for ourselves, but for future legislators and future administrations.”

The bill package will create the Legislative Open Records Act (LORA) as part of FOIA, as well as modify other areas of FOIA as they relate to the legislative and executive branches of government.  

“I believe that any elected official who opposes transparency is unfit to hold public office and I feel very strongly about that,” Rep. Chatfield said. “I am very proud to support this legislation and am very thankful to be part of this much-needed reform.”

House Bills 5469-78 will be officially introduced tomorrow and are expected to be referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Ethics." ___________________________________________________

Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com

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Trump And Cruz Fall Short In Virgin Islands As Yob Scores Major Win

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

Ted Cruz and Donald Trump tried to win delegates from the Virgin Islands recently, but John Yob had other plans.

Yob, a political consultant and author of a recent book on how to plan for a contested convention in Cleveland, led a successful slate and was the top vote getter in last week's U.S. Virgin Islands election. His book is receiving significant interest in light of this year's hotly contested GOP Primary...

The delegates in play, all elected to the convention in Cleveland, didn't go to any candidate though...

According to the Washington Post:

"Six delegates were up for grabs in the U.S. Virgin Islands on Thursday. None of them went to one of the four Republican candidates still running for president. In a surprise that sneaked up on every campaign, Republican strategists who were uncommitted to any candidate swept the contest, led by the (formerly) northern Michigan-based strategist John Yob and his wife.

“We have been coming to the Virgin Islands for a very long time and last year finally made it our home,” said Yob in a triumphant Friday morning statement. “Our children absolutely love their school and we are thankful to the vast majority of Virgin Islanders who have welcomed us to the community. It is important to encourage more families and job creators to travel to the Virgin Islands, experience paradise, and consider making it your home as well!”

It wasn’t as if Republican candidates ignored this vote. Several campaigns made pushes into the Virgin Islands and Guam, territories that send delegations to the national convention. Rafael Cruz, the pastor father of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), stumped in the Virgin Islands to win over voters."

Holland Redfield is the RNC Committeeman for the Virgin Islands. He praised Yob's win.

"I wasn't surprised," Redfield said. "He worked very hard on getting elected. He's been very helpful to the Republican Party in the Virgin Islands, I think people recognize that. Not a long time resident-but a resident-and he's making an impact."

Redfield

Redfield says voting uncommitted is in the best interest of the Virgin Islands.

"It gives us maximum influence for the people of the USVI," Redfield said. "It puts us in the driver's seat."

Redfield has been a longtime RNC member and previously served in the Virgin Islands legislature. Redfield interviewed Yob on his radio show earlier this week about his book, .

The book, is available HERE.

Yob issued a statement on his win.

"We have been coming to the Virgin Islands for a very long time and last year finally made it our home. Our children absolutely love their school and we are thankful to the vast majority of Virgin Islanders who have welcomed us to the community. It is important to encourage more families and job creators to travel to the Virgin Islands, experience paradise, and consider making it your home as well!

I was honored to be selected as a national convention delegate and look forward to participating in what is sure to be a very exciting convention in Cleveland.  I would also like to congratulate my wife Erica and fellow uncommitted delegates Gwen Brady, Warren B Cole, George Logan, and Lindsey Eilon on their selections.

Uncommitted delegates are free agents at the convention and able to support the candidate of our choice on the 1st ballot and on important matters such as Rule 40(b) ballot access.  This gives the Virgin Islands tremendous relevance at the national convention and uniting behind our delegation and party leaders is critical.

The results showed tremendous increase in the number of Republicans participating in the caucuses and the USVI GOP should be very proud of their efforts to grow the party."

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'Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com

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MIGOP Chair Romney's Personal Assistant Bashes Trump

Fleming, left, Romney, right (Photo by DarKen Photography)

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

John Fleming, a top aide to MIGOP Chair Ronna Romney McDaniel, has taken to social media to bash GOP Presidential front runner Donald Trump.

Fleming, "Executive Assistant to the Chairman," keeps Romney on time for meetings, manages her schedule, screens requests, and handles other important issues.

Below is one of his posts attacking Trump, others may have been deleted...

In it, he praises John Oliver's heated anti-Trump rant and computer program that replaces any mention of Trump with "Drumpf."

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com

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Out Of Touch: Detroit News Editorial Board Says Horrendous Prop 1 Is Great But Trump Is A "Fraud"

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

The Detroit News editorial board evidently LOVES Prop 1, the biggest tax increase in modern Michigan history, yet they attack Donald Trump for being a "fake Republican."

You can't make this stuff up...

"Trump is neither a Republican nor a conservative," they write. "And we share as well the frustration with the national political dysfunction. We get why Americans tired of small vision political leaders would rally to a candidate who talks about making the country great and rich again.

But Donald Trump is not the one who will make it happen. He is, quite simply, a fraud. And he can’t win the presidency. His negatives are too high.If nothing else, Michigan Republicans should think about this when they go to the polls: A vote for Donald Trump Tuesday is a vote for Hillary Clinton in November."

This is the same group who helped cheer lead the largest tax hike in decades:

"If Prop 1 fails on Tuesday, Michigan residents can expect a renewal of the futile quarreling over how to fix the roads by a cowardly Legislature that lacks the political will to make difficult choices.

That's the reason the measure is on the ballot. If lawmakers could have got the job done, this proposal would not have been necessary.

Prop 1 is the only guarantee that road work will be fully funded and will get underway immediately. Given the shocking condition of Michigan's highways, this measure merits a yes vote."

And they attack Trump? As a fake Republican and Conservative? Talk about out of touch! And some wonder why Trump is so popular...

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com

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Photo By Darlene Dowling Thompson

Developing: Rubio Supporters Backing Kasich In Last Ditch Effort To Stop Trump In Michigan

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

Supporters of Marco Rubio in Michigan appear to be switching their votes to John Kasich in a last minute attempt to stop Donald Trump.

Multiple Rubio supporters have posted messages like this on social media encouraging people to vote for the Ohio Governor...

Stay tuned...

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com

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Want To Be A Delegate To The Republican Convention In Cleveland? Here's What You Need To Know

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

The following is from Matt Maddock:

"The State Party Chair and the Credentials Committee will be choosing the slate of 14 delegates at-large and alternates to attend the National Convention. Historically, NONE of the delegates knew about Rule 11 and the party has not made this application process available to the delegates. The Credentials Committee is comprised of the State Party Chair (Ronna Romney), the Budget Committee Chair (Bill Runco), the Policy Committee Chair (Gary Howell), the National Committeeman (Dave Agema), the National Committeewoman (Kathy Berden), the State Party General Counsel (Eric Doster), and the State Party Co-Chair (Jeff Sakwa):

11. CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE
The Credentials Committee shall meet to create a slate of at-large delegates and at-large alternates to the 2016 Republican National Convention pursuant to Rule 16. An individual who is seeking election as a delegate at-large or alternate delegate at-large to the 2016 Republican National Convention shall submit his or her name to the Credentials Committee for consideration no later than 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, April 8, 2016. The names of any individuals not received by this time shall not be considered by the Credentials Committee. The Credentials Committee shall submit the slate of National Convention delegates and alternate delegates at-large to the secretary of the State Convention prior to 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, April 9, 2016.

If you would like to be considered to be a Delegate At-Large to the National Convenrion, please submit your name to the Credentials Committee to be considered: Example: Pursuant to Rule 11 of the State Party Rules to Select Delegates and Alternates to the 2016 National Convention, I would like to submit my name to be considered to be a Delegate At-Large.
Thank you for your kind consideration.
Respectfully Submitted,
Your Name and Phone Number and Mailing Address and Email Address.

The State Party Chair has stated on several occasions that she is on the side of the grassroots. Submit your name by mail before March 31. If none of the grassroots apply to be delegates at-large, the party will not have the opportunity to appoint any of us. In the past, we never even knew how to apply! Now we do. Please apply.

If the party does not select grassroots delegates and selects the same establishment players to be national at-large delegates, we will know where the state party really stands."
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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com

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Photo By Darlene Dowling Thompson