Schuette Luxury Real Estate Scandal: Ficano Wants Grand Jury, Ballenger Says AG Acted "Inappropriately," Calley Demands Consequences

By Brandon Hall
(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

Attorney General Bill Schuette should apologize to Michiganders and be held accountable for breaking the law, Lt. Governor Brian Calley says.

"It is long past time for Bill Schuette to look in the mirror, apologize to the people of Michigan...and face the consequences of law that he has broken on numerous occasions," Calley said in a statement Monday.

Calley's comments come after another request for an investigation of Schuette was made, this time by controversial former Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano.

Ficano believes the FBI is the wrong entity to investigate Schuette, so he is asking an Ingham County judge to impanel a grand jury.

According to Emily Lawler of MLive:

"Former Wayne County Executive Bob Ficano on Monday asked Ingham County Circuit Court Chief Judge Richard Garcia to convene a one-person grand jury to investigate possible law violations by Attorney General and Republican governor candidate Bill Schuette. "The basic premise is nobody is above the law," Ficano said.

The complaint, sent to Garcia, cites Schuette's use of state employees to complete real estate transactions selling off land he'd inherited in the Virgin Islands as well as stacking his state office with "political loyalists and cronies." 

There is probable cause to believe Schuette has violated the law, Ficano's complaint claims.

This is the second request for a grand jury on Schuette. East Lansing attorney Mike Nichols initiated the first, which Ingham County Prosecutor Carol Siemon referred to the FBI. "

It's not clear what impact the controversy will have on August 7th, but leading Republican pundit Bill Ballanger recently blasted Schuette for "inappropriate" behavior.

"The thing that's not good is having public employees in his office who are notarizing or witnessing documents," Ballenger told MLive. "It's certainly inappropriate."

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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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Fall Preview? Schuette FBI Wanted Posters Appear "All Over" Downtown Lansing

By Brandon Hall
(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

Mock FBI wanted posters targeting Attorney General Bill Schuette recently appeared in  Lansing, Emily Lawler of MLive reports.

The posters spotlight the investigation into Schuette's use of state employees to help with his luxury real estate deals he kept hidden from the public for nearly two decades.

A Lansing city official noted on Twitter that the Schuette posters were "all over" downtown Lansing.

"They were all over light poles and trees Downtown too, our maintenance crew has been taking them down."

The number featured, 1-800-WHERES-BILL is evidently real and links to a medical alert company for people over 50...

A number of these were plastered on the front of our office this morning. No disclaimer & no idea where they came from. pic.twitter.com/01bBURZBbC

— Emily Lawler (@emilyjanelawler) July 18, 2018

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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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51st State House Race: Police Called After Mueller (A Cop) Said Girlfriend Was A "C*nt," Accused Of Kicking Her Dog

From left: Shetron, Mueller, Shapiro

By Brandon Hall
(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

#NeverTrump consultant Dave Forsmark always acts SO self righteous about himself and his candidates, it's a complete joke.

For instance, in the 51st, Drew Shapiro has made some mistakes that his opponent, Mike Mueller, who Forsmark manages the campaign for, has pushed relentlessly. Forsmark is leading the charge...

Well now it has been revealed that Mueller was accused of calling his girlfriend a "c#nt" and *kicking* her dog! He is a cop and the case miraculously disappeared...
Wow!

Mueller and Shapiro are also running against Ian Shetron, a 2016 Trump Delegate in Cleveland.

According to MIRS:

"Fifty-first state House candidate Mike MUELLER was blamed in March 2015 for physically assaulting his then-girlfriend, Angela LONG, calling her an obscene name and kicking a dog during an argument, according to a police report.

Mueller, who denies kicking the dog, said the incident should have no effect on his run for the state House. Both signed forms saying they would not press charges and none were issued.

“I have really no comment. It was verbal argument between my girlfriend and I at the time,” Mueller told MIRS today. “Since then we've gotten married, blended a family and started a new business. I'm also a (Livingston County) deputy sheriff, so I notified my department as policy states and there was not any criminal charges.”

Ian SHETRON, another Republican candidate in the race, said he would not make an issue of the allegations in the race, which has already seen a number of personal attacks among candidates.

According to the police report, Long told a deputy that she and Mueller had been drinking and arguing. She said Mueller “gets mean when he drinks” and that he “had been saying mean things to her,” the report noted.

Long said Mueller called her an obscene name “so she smacked him.” She said he then “pushed her against the wall, pulled her skirt over her head and called her a `c— and a lowlife.'”

Long also told the Genesee County deputy that Mueller pulled her hair and “pinned her against the wall with his forearm pressed against her throat.” She said she dialed 911 but hung up when Mueller let go.

“My statement on what went on, it's in the police report,” Mueller said. “There was nothing that was criminal. It was an argument between my girlfriend and I, and we took two steps backwards.

“It was an isolated incident. I was deputy of the year the next year, so that is all I can say about it,” he said.

Long also told the deputy Mueller broke her cell phone and “kicked his dog,” but Mueller said, “That is not true.”

The police report indicates the deputy was dispatched at 5:39 a.m.; that he smelled intoxicants on Mueller; and that he had “glassy, bloodshot eyes.”

“I had drank the night before, but I was not drinking at 5:30 in the morning,” Mueller said today.

Shetron said it is fair the information comes out, but he wouldn't make it an issue.

“Is it fair that it comes out in the race? Absolutely, as anything pertaining to the lives, the positions of any of the candidates does. If it comes out, absolutely, that's one thing that the voters have to consider. I think everyone's history is being dredged up here, so I think basically anything is fair game,” Shetron said.

Mueller, the son of a former House member from years ago, is the presumed favorite in the race and has been piling up endorsements despite having never held an elected office before. He has the endorsement of the current officeholder, Rep. Joseph GRAVES (R-Linden)."

Documents obtained by West Michigan Politics reveal that Mueller's girlfriend was worried he may lose his job because of the incident.

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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Dana Nessel Is Gearing Up For Attorney General Campaign Against Tom Leonard

By Brandon Hall
(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

The Democrat candidate for Attorney General, Dana Nessel, is focusing her fall campaign on Speaker Tom Leonard.

In a recent Facebook post, Nessel targets Leonard as her "likely Republican opponent," hitting Leonard while attacking Attorney General Schuette for his recent decision regarding gay rights protections.

Leonard leads State Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker for the Republican nomination for Attorney General.

Nessel is a radical leftist who first made waves for promoting the fact she doesn't have a penis as a reason to vote for her.

Nessel took to Facebook after Schuette's opinion was released Friday, writing:

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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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John James Disappoints With Racial Attacks On Sandy Pensler That Would Make Liberals Proud

By Brandon Hall
(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

The US Senate race between John James and Sandy Pensler gives Michigan Republicans two great choices to take on Debbie Stabenow.

Both candidates have great resumes: Pensler is a biz wiz who specializes in turning around failing companies, James is charismatic Iraq War Vet who helps run his family business.

The strategy has paid off for Pensler, who consistently leads polls by double digits, though a recent poll gives James his best numbers yet.

However, yesterday at the WJR debate between the two, James crossed a line I don't care for: he accused Pensler of being racist.

Why? For running an ad spotlighting a donation John James made to a radical Detroit Democrat who has led the fight to keep the "D" a sanctuary city.

If John James responded to  Pensler with facts, like his claim he donated for business purposes, that's fine. I get that.

If John James responded to Pensler and wanted to note that a couple of Pensler's dozens of donations over the years have been to Democrats, no problem.

If John  James responded that this was kind of a distraction from the real issues facing Michiganders, I wouldn't totally disagree.

But Mr. James decided to take a page right out of the liberal playbook, he playd the "race card," crying racism to deflect from his donation.

James outrageously claimed Pensler's "subtle racism in recent ads is intended to be a dog whistle." Wow. That's what the far left would accuse conservatives of when they didn't agree with President Obama! :(

This is not acceptable. Resorting to racially charged leftist talking points and taking ques from the Rules For Radicals playbook is immensely disturbing to me, and it should give all Republican voters pause.

If anyone thinks Debbie Stabenow will get played like that, they are enormously mistaken. She will have a laundry list of "accomplishments" she will point to for the black community, believe that.

James may be frustrated with the ad, but his response at the debate was horrendous.

Unfortunately, James has invoked race before. A few weeks ago, he sent mailers asking Republican voters to look past his race. 

Excuse me? Why the hell would you assume that is an issue for me? There is no doubt racism exists, but indiscriminately blanketing voters with accusations they are racist is as bizarre as it is unwise.

James is immensely talented and will have a bright future. He has passionate supporters, as well as a great resume, but he just doesn't seem like he is ready for prime time against Debbie, who is sitting on $10 million, if race based attacks is his chosen strategy to win the primary.

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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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Better Call Saul: Anuzis Entangled In Alleged Russian Spy Drama (Kinda)

Anuzis with Butina

By Brandon Hall
(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

Michigan Republican activists and leaders had a little fun with former Michigan Republican Party Chair Saul Anuzis  after news reports showed  Anuzis pictured with alleged Russian spy Maria Butina, who was recently charged in federal court.

"Watch your back for Mueller, Saul!" one person joked.

The woman in question has attended many conservative events and has pictures with dozens of prominent Republicans, including Rick Santorum and Gov. Scott Walker.

According to the Detroit Free Press:

"A former chairman of the Michigan Republican Party who was photographed with an accused Russian secret agent said Tuesday he’s met Maria Butina a couple of times but has never had much of a conversation with her.

A photograph of Saul Anuzis and Butina began circulating on social media Monday after the U.S. Justice Department announced Butina had been arrested and charged with conspiracy to act as an agent of the Russian Federation within the United States without prior notification to the Attorney General.

Anuzis said he remembers the photo being taken in 2016 or 2015 at the FreedomFest, an annual conservative gathering in Las Vegas.

"I met her a couple of times," Anuzis told the Free Press -- once at the FreedomFest and another time during a chance encounter at an airport. "I actually have never had much of a conversation with her, other than being introduced to her."

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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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Developing: 39th District State House Primary To Replace Klint Kesto A Dead Heat, Trump Support High

From right: Tatulyan, Berman, Kosmatka

By Brandon Hall
(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

The race to replace State Rep. Klint Kesto in Oakland County is coming down to the wire, private polls show.

Two polls viewed by West Michigan Politics show the race a 3 way dead heat between Marsha Kosmatka, Kevin Tatulyan, and Ryan Berman.

Tatulyan is a small business owner and former Coalitions Director for President Trump in Michigan, Berman and Kosmatka are both lawyers.

The race is close between the three despite overwhelming establishment support for Kosmatka.

President Trump enjoys extremely high approval in the district at around 80%.

The 39th includes Wixom, West Bloomfield, Commerce Township, and Wolverine Lake.

The winner faces Mark Brewer staffer Jennifer Suidan in November in one of the state's most watched races.
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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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