Dana's Dispatch: new automatic expungement program, job court pilot program, renewed plea to release Nassar records, & more

[logo]( Fruitport man who made threats in court charged with domestic terrorism A Fruitport man who made terrorist threats in court has been charged with domestic terrorism. He is 59-year-old Daniel Callahan. On February 15, Callahan appeared before the Michigan Court of Appeals 3rd District Court in Grand Rapids for a separate issue. While on the record, Callahan allegedly expressed frustration with the government and asked, “What is it going to take, somebody to get shot before the state acts on it?” On February 23, Callahan allegedly filed a pleading in the same case. He stated that if the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court did not act “lawfully,” and grant his requested relief, they would earn a “future Performance Award for MSU Stage Act 2, West Michigan 2023.” The pleading was understood by court employees to be a threat to commit a mass shooting similar to the one that occurred at Michigan State University on February 13. “These are serious charges based on serious threats,” said Nessel. “Anyone who threatens or tries to intimidate government officials or public bodies will be held accountable. My office will continue to respond to these types of threats wherever they occur.” [READ MORE]( Fox 17 West Michigan (April 10, 2023)Fruitport man who made threats in court charged with domestic terrorism Retrieved from: [Fruitport man who made threats in court charged with domestic terrorism](   AG Nessel Releases Video with Information on New Automatic Expungement Program [[ratio]  ]( Video courtesy of the Michigan Department of Attorney General “My department has been traveling the state for years, hosting expungement fairs to help eligible residents clear their records in the hopes of improving employment and housing eligibility, as well as significantly reducing the chances of that resident winding up back in the court system. Today, that process becomes a whole lot easier,” Nessel said. “I am grateful to our partners in law enforcement and the legislature who have worked diligently alongside us to make expungements more accessible to the Michigan public. These efforts will undoubtedly lead to a stronger state.” [READ MORE]( Michigan Department of Attorney General (April 11, 2023) AG Nessel Releases Video with Information on New Automatic Expungement Program Retrieved from: [AG Nessel Releases Video with Information on New Automatic Expungement Program](   Attorney General Dana Nessel introduces Job Court Pilot Program in Marquette A program to reduce crime and increase the workforce has been introduced in Marquette County. WLUC TV 6 Tuesday morning, Attorney General Dana Nessel introduced the Job Court Pilot Program inside Marquette’s Michigan Works! building. The program aims to help Michiganders accused of low-level non-violent crimes enter the job market. It is the first of its kind in the nation and the Marquette office is the first of three to open in Michigan. “We believe in the criminal justice system, we believe in people being held accountable when they have violated the law. But we also believe in second chances and opportunities for people to benefit themselves, and I think this really combines all of those things,” Nessel said. Nessel said to complete the program, participants must satisfactorily maintain their employment for one year. They will work full-time for a designated job court employer. “It’s going to be great for local employers who have been short-staffed,” Nessel said. “We know what the labor market has looked like recently, and to not just be able to fill job vacancies that a lot of these business need.” Once completed, participants will have the opportunity to dismiss eligible charges. 100 will be selected for the program each year in Marquette County. “We will also be providing wrap-around services such as making sure the employees can get to work on time, they have child care or other services to make them the best employees they can possibly be,” Nessel said. [READ MORE]( Annette Giachino, WLUC (April 11, 2023) Attorney General Dana Nessel introduces Job Court Pilot Program in Marquette Retrieved from: [Attorney General Dana Nessel introduces Job Court Pilot Program in Marquette](   Deadline for multi-billion opioid settlement approaching, Attorney General says Municipalities looking to receive funding from a multi-billion dollar opioid settlement have until Tuesday to complete their participation forms, according to Attorney General Dana Nessel. Photo courtesy of Max Ortiz/Detroit News via AP, File/WWMT “No dollar amount can ease the pain suffered by thousands of families impacted by these drugs,” Nessel said. “The Opioid epidemic has ravaged many Michigan communities. However, the funds from this settlement will provide critical financial resources for those who need them most. I again encourage every eligible municipality to register so that they and their residents can benefit and start to recover from the devastating effects of this epidemic.” In December, Nessel signed Michigan onto a proposed multi-billion dollar national settlement with Teva Pharmaceuticals, Allergan Pharmaceuticals, CVS Pharmacy, and Walmart Pharmacy, officials said. The settlements were the result of efforts to hold the aforementioned companies responsible for their roles in the opioid epidemic that impacted communities in Michigan, according to the attorney general's office. [READ MORE]( Katie Sergent, News Channel 3 (April 12, 2023) Deadline for multi-billion opioid settlement approaching, Attorney General says Retrieved from: [Deadline for multi-billion opioid settlement approaching, Attorney General says](   Attorney General Dana Nessel Visits Traverse City Children’s Advocacy Center Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel made a visit to Traverse City Friday morning. 9 and 10 news It’s Child Abuse Prevention Month and she made a stop at the Children’s Advocacy Center. While there, she took a tour of the building and got a detailed explanation on what their day to day operations are like. Nessel worked as a prosecutor downstate in Wayne County before becoming attorney general and has seen many child abuse cases first-hand. She told the staff their commitment to stopping abuse before it starts is crucial work. “Treating a child who’s been abused, obviously incredibly important, but preventing that abuse by having, you know, both children, parents and others know the signs to look for before the abuse can really start is so critically important,” Nessel said. [READ MORE]( Josh Monroe, 9 and 10 News (April 14, 2023)Attorney General Dana Nessel Visits Traverse City Children’s Advocacy Center Retrieved from: [Attorney General Dana Nessel Visits Traverse City Children’s Advocacy Center](   Nessel renews plea to MSU board to release 6,000 pages of Nassar records More than six years after the Larry Nassar sexual assault scandal broke at Michigan State University, Attorney General Dana Nessel on Friday renewed a request to the university's board of trustees to release the remaining 6,000 documents related to MSU's handling of complaints against the former sports medicine doctor. The documents have been withheld by the board for nearly five years under attorney-client privilege — a decision upheld by a Michigan circuit court judge. But Nessel suggested Friday that new members and new leadership on the board might have a change of heart. She asked the records be provided by April 28. "Since 2018 the department has repeatedly called upon the board of trustees to release approximately 6,000 documents that were previously withheld under a claim of privilege," Nessel wrote in the letter. "We are again asking the MSU Board of Trustees to vote to release the remaining documents our office requested and to fulfill its stated pledge to continue cooperating with the investigation through its conclusion." She asked the university for records of any internal investigations, records for former employees who worked with Nassar, and all emails related to Nassar exchanged by various MSU leaders, trustees, and employees. [READ MORE]( Beth LeBlanc, The Detroit News (April 14, 2023) Nessel renews plea to MSU board to release 6,000 pages of Nassar records Retrieved from: [Nessel renews plea to MSU board to release 6,000 pages of Nassar records](   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. If you have donated with a different email address, with a check, or with a spouse – thank you so much. We have that on file and cannot thank you enough for your support. Paid for by Friends of Dana Nessel Friends of Dana Nessel P.O. Box 11141 Lansing, MI 48901 United States If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please [unsubscribe](.