Dana's Dispatch: tax scams, Intuit settlement, gun safety laws, & more!

[logo]( Michigan officials warn seniors about scam artists at retirement tax town hall Seniors across Mid-Michigan gained a better understanding of the state’s new retirement tax at a town hall meeting at the Delta Township Public Library. WILX News 10 Michigan Rep. Angela Witwer and Attorney General Dana Nessel addressed the audience Monday to explain how the new tax rule works and to answer questions. The town hall meeting wasn’t just about the new tax, as Witwer and Nessel also discussed ways in which scam artists may take advantage of the elderly. Nessel warned the audience that criminals are getting more creative with technology, citing artificial intelligence-related scams as a significant concern. “The one that I’m most concerned about right now is this artificial intelligence-related scam where you can literally mimic a person’s voice or even a person’s face,” Nessel said. [READ MORE]( WILX News 10 (May 8, 2023) Michigan officials warn seniors about scam artists at retirement tax town hall Retrieved from: [Michigan officials warn seniors about scam artists at retirement tax town hall](   Nessel: 122K Michiganders to receive part of $141M Intuit settlement Attorney General Dana Nessel announced those who were reportedly deceived by Intuit over false claims of free tax services will soon receive part of a $141 million settlement. The settlement was announced last year after Intuit agreed to suspend its ad campaign for TurboTax promising free tax-filing assistance. Roughly 4.4 million Americans are expected to receive mailed checks with their share of the settlement, according to the Michigan Department of Attorney General. More than 122,000 Michiganders will receive a total of $3.5 million by the end of the month. “Intuit defrauded hard-working taxpayers for no other purpose than to increase its company’s profits,” says Nessel. “This settlement should be a warning to all corporations that mislead the public that they will be held accountable for their deception and their professional reputation is likely to suffer.” [READ MORE]( Fox 17 West Michigan (May 9, 2023) Nessel: 122K Michiganders to receive part of $141M Intuit settlement Retrieved from: [Nessel: 122K Michiganders to receive part of $141M Intuit settlement](   Former ICE agent sentenced for sexually assaulting minor relatives A former Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent was sentenced on Wednesday, after pleading no contest to sexually assaulting his minor relatives decades ago. Kevin Taylor, 49, of Riley, Michigan, was sentenced to serve five to 15 years in prison on two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Taylor was originally charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct for sexually assaulting two minor relatives between 1989 and 1994. Taylor's victims spanned the ages of four and nine years old during those years, the Michigan Department of Attorney General said in a statement. "My office will continue to pursue justice for survivors even when decades have passed," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said. "This result would not have been possible without the collaborative work of the Criminal Trials and Appeals Division of my office, the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility, and the courage of Taylor’s victims to come forward after all these years against a predator in a position of power," Nessel said. [READ MORE]( Brandon Chew, WPBN/WGTU (May 10, 2023) Former ICE agent sentenced for sexually assaulting minor relatives Retrieved from: [Former ICE agent sentenced for sexually assaulting minor relatives](   AG Nessel visits GRPS to address gun safety, growing concerns Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel visited the Grand Rapids Public Schools district headquarters Thursday, in the wake of another student in the GRPS district bringing a gun to school. 13 On Your Side Nessel sat down with GRPS Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby, as well as GRPS Chief of Staff and Director of Public Safety, Larry Johnson, to discuss what steps the school has taken and what it intends to do moving forward. The District said it's poured money into things like secure entrances, which have been installed at the majority of its buildings. The district also said moving forward they'd be putting a special emphasis on threat assessments, that critical early detection, as well as mental health resources. "Safe and secure storage," Nessel said. "It's so basic. If you are a firearm owner, if you have that gun in a place where minors are regularly found or can be expected, you have to secure it safely, in a manner where children can't harm themselves or others." Nessel went on to say gun locks are available through your local law enforcement office, like the Grand Rapids Police Department. [READ MORE]( 13 On Your Side Staff, 13 On Your Side (May 11, 2023) AG Nessel visits GRPS to address gun safety, growing concerns Retrieved from: [AG Nessel visits GRPS to address gun safety, growing concerns](   Man charged after making threats to northern Michigan 911 dispatchers A man from Atlanta, Michigan, is facing charges for allegedly making threats to a northern Michigan 911 dispatch after learning there was a warrant for his arrest. According to Attorney General Dana Nessel, Gregory Simms, 37, made three calls to Montmorency County 911 and allegedly told dispatchers he would send any “pigs” who tried to arrest him “back in body bags.”In two of the calls, Simms identified himself. He has been charged with malicious use and threat of terrorism. “Threats to public service workers, the hearts of our communities, require serious charges,” Nessel said. “Our 9-1-1 centers are designed to respond to life-threatening emergencies, not intimidation from the citizens they serve. I’m proud of the work the Hate Crimes and Domestic Terrorism Unit of my office has done to ensure that threats like these are met with robust enforcement to pursue accountability and maintain public safety.” [READ MORE]( Trevor Drew (May 12, 2023) Man charged after making threats to northern Michigan 911 dispatchers Retrieved from: [Man charged after making threats to northern Michigan 911 dispatchers](   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](.