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George Dernis, who DePerno has represented in a nearly eight-year legal battle over foreclosure of Michigan properties he'd used as collateral to purchase a grocery store, said DePerno helped guide his family through "hell and back. At issue was DePernos effort to remove Cass County Judge Michael Dodge from the case, arguing the judge could not be impartial because he owned property on a separate lake. He alleged oppression of a minority shareholder and said his termination caused extreme mental anguish, emotional distress, shock and humiliation.. Greenlee advanced to the second round of voting ahead of other contenders Tuscola County GOP Chairman Billy Putman, J.D. Because of the conflict of interest of investigating him, Nessel sought the appointment of a special prosecutor to decide if charges are warranted. "There is currently a hearing scheduled for March 12, 2020, at which time petitioners will presumably be arrested pursuant to the bench warrants," DePerno wrote. If you cant abide by the laws and the rules, how do you have the moral authority to prosecute criminals?. A vote for Matt is a vote for your civil liberties! Heres what the laws are now, Michigan State shooting update: 2 more students released from hospital, Michigan has far more power outages this week than other Midwest states, Michigan outraged toxic waste from Ohio derailment shipped to Belleville, MSU shooting: fourth victim identified, discharged from hospital, Michigan lawmakers send Whitmer tax cuts; $180 payments are dead, Michigans lousy infrastructure has many begging: Fix the damn noisy roads, Michigan State shooting: Alerts to students delayed as police rushed to campus, Where Michigan attorney general foes Dana Nessel and Matthew DePerno stand, Dana Nessel: What to know about Michigan Democratic attorney general, Matt DePerno banks on Trump bump in Republican race for attorney general, Firm: Michigan AG hopefulDePerno fired over padded, false billings, DePerno, others linked to vote machine tampering case headed to special prosecutor, Matthew DePerno: Dana Nessels election probe worthy of Saddam Hussein. Feb 10 Don't miss our Pre-Convention Rally with President Donald Trump THIS MONDAY! ", We're not just a news organization, we're also your neighbors. He was fired from one law firm, fought over client records after leaving a second firm and was accused of assaulting a client amid a fee dispute, according to court documents and transcripts reviewed by Bridge Michigan. DePerno is considered a frontrunner for the Michigan Republican Partys nomination for attorney general, along with former state House Speaker Tom Leonard, the GOP nominee in 2018. His campaign website says he will "restore law and order" and "uphold the Constitution.". If you care about Michigan, please support our work. "I think it's extremely problematic," Truscott told Bridge Michigan. Lansing Matt DePerno, who lost his bid for attorney general but has been a favorite of former President Donald Trump, announced Monday that he wants to be the Michigan Republican Party's . As a tax attorney who worked primarily in Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties, his legal career has been marked by discord. She said the party would focus on local issues over national politics. Matt DePerno, an attorney general candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump, sued the firm over his firing and denied the allegations in court. The initial tallies in the Republican stronghold had Democrat Joe Biden winning by 3,260 votes with 62% of the overall total to Trump's 36%. "Although we didn't emerge victorious tonight, I believe we sent a strong message to Lansing. Asked about his candidate's changing financial status, Shepard said DePerno's law firm attracted a lot of new business during the period after early 2020 partly because of restrictions Gov. Especially if the Judge has expressed a dislike for rapists., Kent County Circuit Court Judge Donald A. Johnston, who presided over the disqualification hearing, denied DePernos request to remove Dodge, and noted that, "I don't know of any judges that have ever expressed a like for rapists.. Nessel, the Democratic attorney general, later acknowledged that her office is investigating DePerno but said she recused herself from the probe given the political implications and will appoint a special counsel if charges are warranted. In 2016, Buhl filed a request asking the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission to investigate DePerno after he was accused of legal malpractice. Maddock called DePerno and Secretary of State hopeful Kristina Karamo the strongest candidates to address the stolen 2020 election and push for a forensic audit of the states voting in that contest. Aug 7 (Reuters) - The Republican nominee for Michigan attorney general led a team that gained unauthorized access to voting equipment while hunting for evidence to support former President. Democratic President Joe Biden beat Trump by 154,188 votes in Michigan. I just think this guy is going to be looking for election fraud under rocks," LaBrant said. "The Republican Party is now pretty well cemented as the party of election denying, conspiracy theories, tin hats and supporting Capitol riots," Miller said. From beginning to end, the problem is you.. Email. It just screams out: This is why people hate lawyers. We dont need this in our profession.. Matthew DePerno, who is running for the Michigan Republican party's nomination for state attorney general, speaks at a rally hosted by former President Donald Trump on April 2, 2022 near. The convention lasted about 11 hours with delegates battling over how the votes at the event would be counted and last-minute jockeying among the 10 candidates for party chair. The Oak Park educator and conservative activist will take the reins months after the Michigan GOP in November lost long-held majorities in the House and Senate and lost races seeking to oust the incumbent Democratic governor, secretary of state and attorney general. State Rep. Steve Carra, R-Three Rivers, has been an outspoken DePerno supporter. Published reports say Nessel's office is asking that a special prosecutor investigate whether the Republican candidate for state attorney general, Matt DePerno, and others should be charged in . All rights reserved. DePerno got his law degree at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 1994. But court records show law firm colleagues confronted DePerno in October 2005 and presented him with evidence detailed in a confidential memo included in public filings, along with 190 pages of internal billing documents. DePerno wasnt paying attention in first grade when he was told how to behave himself, Magistrate Joseph Scoville said in announcing the sanctions at a May 2012 hearing, according to a transcript reviewed by Bridge. Ive always proven that I dont back down from anyone, he said. A lawyer by trade, DePerno rose to political prominence challenging the 2020 presidential election results and spearheading a lawsuit over the vote in northern Michigan's Antrim County. $400,000 for an Election Fraud Defense Fund in 2020, and critics have urged him to disclose what he did with that money. DePerno later sued the law firm, claiming breach of contract and oppression of a minority shareholder. Hilson, hasn't yet announced a decision. Longtime GOP mega-donor Ron Weiser, a wealthy Ann Arbor businessman, opted against seeking another term as party chairman. CONTACT. Democrat Attorney General Dana Nessel, a lawyer from Plymouth, Before Matt DePerno launched a bid for attorney general, he cleared up an arrest warrant, As Michigan AG race narrows, Nessel's comments, cases take center stage. "So a police officer will be able to see on their laptop that theres a bench warrant for this person.. Vote Furyk. Nessel's office began its investigation in February, before DePerno was her opponent. Former state Rep. Aaron Miller, a Republican from Sturgis, said Karamo's victory indicated some Michigan Republicans want to keep losing elections. DePerno is a leading advocate for a forensic audit of the 2020 election. While Nessel might be vulnerable, there remain questions two weeks before Election Day over whether DePerno was the right person to beat her and become the state's top law enforcement official. But court records show law firm colleagues confronted DePerno in October 2005 and presented him with evidence detailed in a confidential memo included in public filings, along with 190 pages of internal billing documents. DePerno, who'd filed a lawsuit on behalf of a local resident claiming voting-machine fraud in Antrim County, more than 200 miles to the north, sent the clerk a subpoena demanding access to her. DePerno, 53, is a Portage-based attorney who primarily works on tax cases and worked primarily in Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties. ", Karamo dismissed concerns about declining donations to the state party, saying thats going to change right away.. DePerno told the Lansing publication Gongwer News Service that he had spoken with a sheriff who said his agency wasn't going to enforce the warrant and it became a "nonissue.". After practicing law as a partner at a large law firm for 10 years, Matthew opened his own law practice in 2005, DePerno Law, PLLC. Dodge has since retired and told Bridge Michigan he did not remember the dispute well. "I can't answer that question," the lawyer said. Recently, in an election of national significance, a Donald Trump-backed candidate was easily bested in his quest to lead the Michigan Republican Party, a state considered pivotal for control of both the Senate and the presidency in 2024. Natalie DePerno, 23, graduated with an accounting degree from MSU. We report because the news impacts all of us. She was speaking out against "fake issues" that she said were dividing people. The sides eventually settled out of court in 2008. The nomination wont be official until a separate August convention, but the early endorsement will allow a candidate to raise funds and campaign as the presumed nominee. Samantha DePerno, 19, began her sophomore year at MSU this past Fall, 2021. "Thats what I am counting on, Greene said. DePerno has clashed frequently with Republicans who have stressed the need to move on from the 2020 election. Taxation 1994-95 University of Detroit Mercy School of Law Ultimately, I collected the fees that were due to me, DePerno told Bridge. DePerno formed his campaign committee to run for attorney general 12 days later, on July 14, 2021. Sponsor John Engler. He also has a big fan inside the Michigan Republican Party: co-chair Meshawn Maddock, who endorsed him earlier this month, an unusual move considering the party traditionally is expected to stay out of contested convention races. More:As Michigan AG race narrows, Nessel's comments, cases take center stage. Connors previously ordered DePerno and Courser to pay a sanction of $79,701. He also represented former state Rep. Todd Courser in a sex scandal cover-up case, which ended with Courser. Asked if he has concerns about how DePerno would handle a future election that's challenged, Greene said yes, but he added there will be "checks and balances," including from the Legislature. Democratic President Joe Biden beat Trump by 154,188 votes in Michigan. In a statement, Tyson Shepard, DePerno's campaign manager, said the campaign is focused on issues affecting people across Michigan instead of "washed-out stories from years and years ago.". Not too many people would have stuck by my family and myself like Matt has.". I think the party recreates itself locally. I've taken on cases that people even in the media have disagreed with.. Miller called it a sad day for the GOP. But six days after the Moffits refused to pay his fees, DePerno took action to try and collect: He began foreclosure proceedings to sell the Moffits new home and the land where their old home had burned down, according to court filings. "Some attorneys are more challenging than others," Dodge said in an email. In 2016, Buhlfiled a requestasking the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission to investigate DePerno after he was accused of legal malpractice. DePerno refused. DePerno who has pushed former President Donald Trump's false claims of widespread election fraud has slammed the probe, which is now led by a special prosecutor. He cut his teeth as a tax attorney in southwest Michigan but eventually expanded his Portage-based practice. Washtenaw County Circuit Judge Timothy Connors signed a warrant in February 2020 for DePerno's arrest after he failed to appear for a creditor's exam in an unsuccessful defamation case brought by his client, former state Rep. Todd Courser, against The Detroit News. Thanks for submitting! While the Kries Enderle law firm and DePerno both declined to discuss his contentious departure given their confidential settlement agreement, DePerno downplayed the acrimonious split in general terms. If Matthew DePerno wins his race to unseat Michigan's Democratic attorney general in November, he'll become the state's top lawyer. DePerno also has fiercely loyal supporters who defend his legal work, including clients, who contend hed make a strong attorney general. She becomes the first Black person to lead the Michigan GOP. He will have a staff of more than 500 people, and his . ", More:Matt DePerno's rapid rise in GOP politics mired in controversy, lawsuits. Republican activists across Michigan will soon gather to select the next leader of the Michigan GOP.The decision will help decide the future of the Republican Party after a midterm election that . Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for "for all the damage they have done" in office. Were going to be a political machine that strikes fear in the heart of Democrats," Karamo told delegates. DePerno, 53, is a Portage-based attorney who primarily works on tax cases and worked primarily in Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties. Elissa Slotkin announces bid to succeed Debbie Stabenow. "As attorney general, you're the state's chief law enforcement officer. "The creditor's exam was scheduled for today," Connors said in court on Feb. 7, 2020, according to a transcript. ", While DePerno said he was conceding the race, he also said he would "refuse to concede that Michigan is a blue state. And DePerno later sued their attorney unsuccessfully for defamation. In a recent letter to Michigan GOP precinct delegates, Trump called DePerno an incredible attorney who led the charge in calling out obvious voter fraud by suing over the election in Antrim County, where an error by the Republican clerk skewed initial results in favor of Democrat Joe Biden but was quickly corrected. The News asked DePerno and Nessel to release their most recent tax returns. The March 12, 2020, hearing was eventually canceled, according to court records. In his original complaint, DePerno alleged he was wrongfully fired from his $110,000 job because he had raised questions about the financial operations of the firm. Matt DePerno, a Republican candidate for Michigan attorney general, has appeared at Capitol rallies calling for a forensic audit of the 2020 presidential election. DePerno is best known for defending former state Rep. Todd Courser after a 2015 sex scandal cover up and challenging Antrim County election results in a failed lawsuit that spawned ongoing conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. Matthew has published 21 legal reports based on his findings from the forensic audit. Then, on June 23, 2021, DePerno filed a motion to have the bench warrants set aside "nunc pro tunc," essentially meaning the cancellation should be retroactive to the day the warrants were issued in February 2020. In an interview Tuesday, DePerno told Bridge he and colleagues had a dispute on where the firm was going but resolved the case with mutual satisfaction. He declined to discuss specific allegations, citing the secrecy agreement. "From his dangerous stances on abortion and birth control, to his embrace of Donald Trumps most fringe election conspiracy theories, its clear that Michigan needs to reelect Dana Nessel as AG.". I'll continue to write good people in on my election ballots. The two have been married for over 26 years and raised three children together. But the changing tallies led to a wave of concerns and conspiracy theories about what had happened. Beginningin June 1995, he practiced at Kreis, Enderle, Callander & Hudgins, but he had a falling out with the firm, which accused him of "acts of fraud and dishonesty" and alleged he "padded" his billable hours. The settlement was complicated by another lawsuit from DePernos professional liability insurer, who sued him in an attempt to drop him and cancel his policy. Matt DePerno, an attorney general candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump, sued the firm over his firing and denied the allegations in court. In a Feb. 26, 2020, filing in the Court of Appeals, DePerno addressed the warrants facing him and his client. In 2005, DePerno launched his own law firm in Kalamazoo County, where he's practiced tax and real estate law. Nessel, the Democratic attorney general, later acknowledged that her office is investigating DePerno but said she recused herself from the probe given the political implications and will appoint a special counsel if charges are warranted. DePerno lost to Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel by 9 percentage points in November. "And yet, here I am running for attorney general to restore integrity, justice and morality in Michigan.. DePerno and Karamo were viewed as the favorites because they have been working with delegates for more than a year as it was the delegates who nominated them for attorney general and secretary of state last year. In November 2020, Antrim County resident, William Bailey, hired Matthew to represent him in his lawsuit against Antrim County and the Michigan Secretary of States office, to conduct his own audit of the November general election irregularities in Antrim County. Now calling himself a constitutional attorney, DePerno told Bridge his favorite cases are those that involve constitutional rights people who have arguments that theyve lost their rights because of government overreach.. And I think were peaking.". Subject. Matt and Laura have three wonderful children who are all current or former students at Michigan State University (MSU). DePerno skyrocketed to fame in conservative circles in the aftermath of the 2020 election, alleging voting machines were compromised because unofficial results were skewed toward President Joe Biden before they were corrected. Published reports say Nessel's office is asking that a special prosecutor investigate whether the Republican candidate for state attorney general, Matt DePerno, and others should be charged in . Industrious Republican. Were good neighbors and were going to be winning elections again.. Thus began another unexpected legal fight, as the Moffits hired a new attorney to stop the foreclosure sale and sue DePerno for legal malpractice, alleging he fought their insurer without their consent, overbilled and padded billings, including a $13,000 charge to reassemble their case file after DePerno parted ways with his law firm at the time, Veritas Group. Nessel joked about a "drag queen for every school" during an event in June. Greenlee said Republicans were responding to his message of activating and engaging the delegates. The warrant was in place until the sanction was resolved in May 2021 because of a $20,000 settlement with The News. Another factor in his decision to run: Trump, who in July encouraged him to enter the race. In his original complaint, DePerno alleged he was wrongfully fired from his $110,000 job because he had raised questions about the financial operations of the firm. Trump had actually won the county by 3,788 votes, 61%-37%, a 7,048-vote swing from the unofficial results. On Dec. 18, Karamo released a vision for the party that included converting "'GOP-phobic youth' by transitioning schools from indoctrination to education," giving "precinct delegates control over the party" and holding Republican elected officials "accountable to using the Constitution as their measure for governing.". DePerno had represented an older couple Ronald and Cathleen Moffit whose home burned down in 2011. Matt DePerno concedes Michigan AG race to Dana Nessel Published November 9, 2022 2022 Midterm Elections FOX 2 Detroit Whitmer's victory speech: Michigan is about to 'step on the. The bench warrant for DePerno's arrest was not resolved, according to available court records, and remained in effect for more than 14 months. DePerno has never been publicly disciplined by the state, according to records from the Attorney Discipline Board. People have to see something worth investing in," she said, "and the party hasnt proven itself to be such.. And he's not afraid of what has turned into, unfortunately, a convoluted judicial system., Bill Bailey, a real estate broker who DePerno is representing in the ongoing Antrim County election appeal, called him "one of the most honest, hardworking souls I truthfully have ever met.". It was also in place as DePerno met on Jan. 6, 2021, with staff for then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about the election, a convening he has acknowledged on a Republican group's candidate questionnaire. Hes helped a Portage high school student rejoin the tennis team after she had been kicked off following an illegal search of her car that revealed remnants of marijuana, DePerno said. It just screams out: This is why people hate lawyers. We dont need this in our profession.. However, Shepard said DePerno wants to fix "the outdated and confusing" law, which dates to the 1840s. "Thank goodness that most of my cases were nothing like this one. An incumbent attorney general hasn't lost reelection in Michigan since 1954. Karamo defeated unsuccessful GOP attorney general candidate Matt DePerno of Kalamazoo, a fellow election denier who was endorsed in the party chair race by Trump. But six days after the Moffits refused to pay his fees, DePerno took action to try and collect: He began foreclosure proceedings to sell the Moffits new home and the land where their old home had burned down, according to court filings. DePerno is a workaholic who goes to great lengths for his clients and is like an encyclopedia of law and the Constitution, Bailey told Bridge. The situation also became a focus of attacks this year against DePerno. DePerno raised nearly $400,000 for an Election Fraud Defense Fund in 2020, and critics have urged him to disclose what he did with that money. The News eventually sued Laura DePerno in Kalamazoo County court, and Matt DePerno challenged the Washtenaw County court's ruling in the state Court of Appeals. We are honored to have Kari's support in this race, check out the full endorsement! "I have been told to stop talking about America first values. Will you please support our nonprofit newsroom? On. A Republican-led state Senate panel that spent months investigating the contest found no evidence of widespread fraud. All rights reserved. Matt DePerno, an attorney general candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump, sued the firm over his firing and denied the allegations in court. Hes helped a Portage high school studentrejoin the tennis teamafter she had been kicked off following an illegal search of her car that revealed remnants of marijuana, DePerno said. "He will never give up, and thats why they absolutely cannot stand him.". from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and an LL.M. Matt DePerno, an attorney general candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump, sued the firm over his firing and denied the allegations in court. Trump has thrown significant political weight behind DePerno, endorsing him, speaking on his behalf at aMar-A-Lago fundraiserand announcing plans to stump for him and other endorsed candidates at aMichigan rally on April 2. A year later, with the fire reimbursement case seemingly resolved, DePerno presented the Moffits with a $109,879 check from their insurer $13,421 less than the original payment offered three years prior and a $137,779.38 bill for his legal services, according to the malpractice lawsuit. DePerno called Buhls accusations total nonsense and told Bridge the matter was ultimately dismissed by the grievance commission, as it should be., While Buhl said the professional code of conduct for attorneys prohibits him from revealing results of the grievance commission investigation, he called DePerno's characterization of dismissal "the farthest thing from the truth.. The billing allegations could be a disqualifying factor for DePerno as a candidate, said John Truscott, a Republican public relations professional who served as press secretary under former Gov. Ann Arbor Republican Matt DePerno, who's asking voters to make him Michigan's top law enforcement official on Nov. 8, faced a bench warrant for his arrest about two months before he. "They don't make guys like him anymore. "Anyone who does not treat systemic election corruption commensurate with the state and national threat it is, should be disqualified from any position in party leadership," Karamo's plan said. Buhl, the former judge, had already been retired for six years when he began observing DePernos legal work because he was asked to serve as an expert witness in the Moffits malpractice suit. DePerno was able to obtain jobless assistance by presenting paperwork to the state indicating he was fired for failing to promote a harmonious relationship with the firm, not fraud. The people of MIchigan are tired of the rising crime, threats to parental rights and an ongoing lack of trust in government. However, Democrats overperformed in many of their races, polls have consistently shown.

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