DePerno denied many of the accusations but eventually negotiated a settlement with the Moffits, whose attorney declined to discuss terms of the deal. Jason Roe, a former executive director of the Michigan Republican Party, said "crazy" had trumped Trump at Saturday's convention. Incredibly, the appeals court noted, DePerno made the following analogy: lets assume a Judge was raped. In 2016, Buhlfiled a requestasking the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission to investigate DePerno after he was accused of legal malpractice. Ultimately, I collected the fees that were due to me, DePerno told Bridge. I've always proven that I don't back down from anyone, he said. Matthew DePerno, the Republican nominee for attorney general in Michigan who has made a name for himself by pushing lies about the 2020 election and by becoming the target of an investigation into whether he illegally tampered with voting machines is spending the final stretch of his campaign spouting new falsehoods about supposed election crimes. "The Republican Party is now pretty well cemented as the party of election denying, conspiracy theories, tin hats and supporting Capitol riots," Miller said. Hilson, a Democrat who was named the special prosecutor in September, continues to review the case. Experts say there is no credible evidence of fraud in Antrim County, and a hand recount of paper ballots later confirmed the official results showing Trump won the area with 61 percent of the vote, just shy of his 62 percent showing in 2016. Election Integrity Based. Matt and Laura have three wonderful children who are all current or former students at Michigan State University (MSU). Michigan attorney general says FBI confirmed she was target of plot to Thousands of Michigan Republican Party delegates participate in the convention as they considered who should be their new leader after suffering historic losses in the November 2022 election. He fights the fight for the little guy, and for the good guy. Kallman declined to detail the issues. from New York University School of Law. Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. The grievance commission can also privately admonish an attorney or place them on contractual probation, but those lighter punishments are not made public. He picked the fight and then billed them $130,000. And I continuously showed that throughout my career. DePerno received a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, a J.D. 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. 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. 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. Taxation 1994-95 University of Detroit Mercy School of Law DePerno also has fiercely loyal supporters who defend his legal work, including clients, who contend hed make a strong attorney general. It's unclear why DePerno was never arrested. The parties later settled for $20,000, which Detroit News publisher and editor Gary Miles called a message that frivolous lawsuits against news organizations for performing their duties under the First Amendment will not be taken lightly.. Sponsor "Matthew DePerno showed up the day after the election, using our president's name, taking nearly $400,000 from every one of you," Leonard said during a debate in Oakland County. In a Michigan Court of Appeals filing, DePerno accused lawyers for The News of telling him before the Feb. 6, 2020, hearing that it had been adjourned. DePerno committed fraud, deceit and dishonesty with regards to bogus billing, duplicate billing and write offs, in addition to other wrongful acts, his former law firm Kreis, Enderle, Calendar and Hudgins PC alleged in a 2006 legal filing. DePerno had represented an older couple Ronald and Cathleen Moffit whose home burned down in 2011. Whitmer" for her nursing home policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, called for increased transparency standards for state government and voiced opposition to abortion. during the general election campaign, but a special prosecutor is investigating him and others on allegations they illegally accessed voting machine equipment in their efforts to investigate the election. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement. DePerno lost the 2022 attorney general election to incumbent Attorney General Dana Nessel by nearly nine points. 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.". The problematic initial numbers were caused by human errors: Election workers' failure to update equipment after additions to the ballot. 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. Because of the conflict of interest of investigating him, Nessel sought the appointment of a special prosecutor to decide if charges are warranted. Ive always proven that I dont back down from anyone, he said. All rights reserved. DePerno beat Tom Leonard in the second round of voting with 54% of . More:As Michigan AG race narrows, Nessel's comments, cases take center stage. 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. Thank goodness that most of my cases were nothing like this one.. He is currently representing an Ann Arbor firefighter who he said was fired for refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Baker didn't respond to a request for comment. DePerno, who never held elected office, rode Trumps endorsement to win the Republican Party nomination over two candidates who have served in the Legislature. Their insurance company initially offered to pay them $123,360 for personal property losses and living expenses but asked a judge to determine whether another $80,000 should go to the Moffits or the IRS, to whom they owed money, according to court filings. And the GOP-controlled Michigan Senate Oversight Committee accused DePerno of spreading "misleading information and illogical conclusions.". "I have been told to stop talking about America first values. Trump, who's campaigning for the GOP presidential nomination in 2024, endorsed DePerno for party chair in January. And DePerno later sued their attorney unsuccessfully for defamation. Nov 2. Two attorneys quit, saying they could not represent DePerno without violating the canons of ethics. So DePerno represented himself, an unorthodox move the liability insurer asked a court to stop before also agreeing to a settlement with DePerno. Some Republicans voiced frustration and uncertainty about the partys direction Saturday. Chaos And Conspiracies: 12 Hours At A GOP Convention That Handed Trump If you care about Michigan, please support our work. DePerno has called Nessel's allegations garbage and said she's using the investigatory powers of her office for political purposes. "We look forward to having a Republican Party that shows Michiganders that were here to serve. In recent weeks, DePerno has campaigned on strengthening parents' rights and showed up at a contentious Dearborn school board meeting over books in a school library with sexual or violent content to speak on the issue. DePerno wins GOP attorney general race after runoff; Karamo wins SOS The sheriff's office this week didn't provide a response to questions about the warrant. Not too many people would have stuck by my family and myself like Matt has.". He also represented former state Rep. Todd Courser in a sex scandal cover-up case, which ended with Courser pleading no contest to willful neglect of duty by a public officer. ", I have been told by our elected officials to stop talking about this issue," DePerno said of the last presidential election, which Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden in Michigan by 3 percentage points or 154,000 votes. DePerno also transferred "his interest in the marital home" to his wife's trust for $1, according to the lawyers for The News. We report because the news impacts all of us. I honestly believe on the first vote shes going to have the most votes," Forton said in an interview on the convention floor of Karamo. Matt DePerno concedes Michigan AG race to Dana Nessel DePerno faces incumbent Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel on Nov. 8. 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. 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. Trump endorses Matt DePerno in race for Michigan Republican Party chair Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel, whom DePerno is hoping to unseat, and her supporters have made DePerno's efforts to undermine the 2020 presidential election and the uncertainties surrounding his finances key issues in the race to be the state's chief law enforcement officer. Another factor in his decision to run: Trump, who in July encouraged him to enter the race. Instead, the Oversight Committee urged Nesselto investigate those who have been utilizing misleading and false information about Antrim County to raise money or publicity for their own ends.. Firm: Michigan AG hopeful Matt DePerno fired over padded, false billings, Campaign donors love a winner, dump Michigan GOP for Democrats after election, Turns out, young voters didnt sway 22 election in Michigan, records show, Basically broke, Michigan GOP to charge delegates to attend convention, Share the article you just read on Twitter, Share the article you just read on Facebook, Share the article you just read via email, Michigan stopped Ohio toxic waste last week, but we import waste every day, Democrats push Michigan gun reforms. Since then, he's become a favorite among Michigan Republican delegates, and he helped negotiate a deal to delay feuding between party factions at an August convention. DePerno, who had worked with the Moffits on tax issues in the past, allegedly convinced the couple he could negotiate with the IRS. 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. Kari Lake, a champion for election integrity and the America First Movement, has officially endorsed Matt DePerno for MI GOP Chairman. 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. Who's in, out of race? 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%. Another factor in his decision to run: Trump, who in July encouraged him to enter the race. A Republican-led state Senate panel that spent months investigating the contest found no evidence of widespread fraud. 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper, who resigned from the state House after he attempted to cover up an extramarital affair with a fellow lawmaker, told the Lansing publication Gongwer News Service that he had spoken with a sheriff. KALAMAZOOA Republican running to be Michigans top law enforcement official was fired from a law firm in 2005 after colleagues alleged he padded client billings for personal and professional benefit, according to court records reviewed by Bridge Michigan. "That would be a privileged question.". Email. His experience and record of success has benefited individuals, small business, and multi-national corporations. Were good neighbors and were going to be winning elections again.. In early August, Nessel sought a special prosecutor to consider potential charges against DePerno and eight others because of an alleged "conspiracy" to gain improper access to voting machines in Michigan. Not authorized by any candidate. At the end of 2020, DePerno began gaining national attention for challenging the election results in northern Michigan's Antrim County. I think its extremely problematic, Truscott told Bridge Michigan. 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. Matthew DePerno: What to know about Michigan GOP attorney general Last Name. Among the questionable billings: DePerno allegedly charged the Moffits $1,024.35 to videotape a deposition that a federal magistrate had ordered him to personally pay as a sanction for obstructing an earlier deposition, coaching a witness and raising utterly meritless objections. But court records show judges have repeatedly sanctioned or complained about his courtroom conduct. The Antrim County case made DePerno a national figure in Trumps campaign to overturn the election but prompted criticism from a Republican-led Michigan Senate panel that accused him ofmaking false claimsfor personal profit, echoing allegations that marred DePernos legal career nearly two decades earlier. 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. ", Matt DePerno's rapid rise in GOP politics mired in controversy, lawsuits, an Ann Arbor firefighter who challenged the city's COVID-19 vaccine policy, The numbers became jumbled during the communication of the unofficial results to the county's election management system, push for an "independent and nonpartisan forensic audit" in Antrim County, "misleading information and illogical conclusions. Dodge has since retired and told Bridge Michigan he did not remember the dispute well. "Were going to win.. Gretchen Whitmer in public polling and in the last election. Getting Trumps endorsement was huge for DePernos campaign. 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 willing to take on "the status quo of corruption," Carra said. DePerno had been endorsed by former President Donald Trump. DePerno has a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and later earned law degrees from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and New York University School of Law. State Rep. Steve Carra, R-Three Rivers, has been an outspoken DePerno supporter. (Bridge photo by Jonathan Oosting). But he never did, the Moffits attorney alleged in the malpractice suit. The top fundraisers among Michigan statewide elected offices See also: Michigan Attorney General election, 2022 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. Hes also suggested banning Plan B, an emergency contraceptive that can prevent pregnancy if taken within three days of having unprotected sex. They've raised concerns about Dominion Voting Systems, the equipment used in Antrim County. "As attorney general, you're the state's chief law enforcement officer. DePerno, 53, is a Portage-based attorney who primarily works on tax cases and worked primarily in Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties. Weve been there for you with daily Michigan COVID-19 news; reporting on the emergence of the virus, daily numbers with our tracker and dashboard, exploding unemployment, and we finally were able to report on mass vaccine distribution. ", Eric Castiglia, chairman of the Republican Party of Macomb County, said DePerno is gaining steam politically because of his focus on the "rule of law.". And in early 2022, state Rep. Ryan Berman of Commerce Township, who previously ran for attorney general as a Republican against DePerno, said DePerno's "skeletons have skeletons. Matt DePerno - Trump's pick - wins Republican endorsement for Michigan He alleged oppression of a minority shareholder and said his termination caused extreme mental anguish, emotional distress, shock and humiliation.. 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. The March 12, 2020, hearing was eventually canceled, according to court records. During her speech before the first vote, Karamo touted her decision last year not to concede the secretary of state race to Benson in November and said the party's current leadership operated like a "political mafia." But he told Bridge he cannot discuss details because of a confidential settlement. The Michigan Court of Appeals ultimately upheld the decision to allow Dodge to remain a judge. Some Michigan Republicans say they are . As he's campaigned for attorney general, DePerno vowed to "investigate and prosecute Gov. I think were going to focus on local issues, Wilk said. 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. A secretary at DePernos second law firm the Veritas Group said in a sworn affidavit that she had heard yelling from the conference room as he met with the Moffits.