The state attorney general has opened an investigation into whether campaign finance laws were broken. That’s after a complaint alleging improper donations by two state Senate Republican political funds was filed with the Michigan Secretary of State.
Secretary of State spokesperson Tracy Wimmer says after the complaint was filed, there was an initial investigation by campaign finance officials. She says that could have led to a settlement agreement. “And in this case, the entities involved refused to participate in the agreement, so we have referred the matter to the Attorney General for investigation,” she says.
One the lawyers who filed the complaint says the Attorney General could invoke subpoena power to seize records and, perhaps, file criminal charges.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey told The Detroit News the complaint and investigation are politically motivated, although one of the attorneys who filed the complaint is a prominent Republican.