The probe is completely ridiculous and part of the reason DePerno decided to run for attorney general, he told Bridge, likening it totalitarianism since Nessels office battled him as opposing counsel in the Antrim County case. 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. He has a wife and three children. Instead, DePerno filed a counter-claim against the insurance company without the knowledge or consent of his clients, which prompted the insurer to stop its initial payment. Karamo was elected as party chairwoman last month, defeating 10 other candidates including Trump-backed former attorney general candidate Matthew DePerno. DePerno has called Nessel's allegations garbage and said she's using the investigatory powers of her office for political purposes. Karamo, who lost by 14 points to Democratic incumbent Jocelyn Benson in November, made the pitch to delegates that her refusal to concede was an asset. 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. "The sanction award far exceeds the petitioners' ability to pay," Baker wrote in a filing on Jan. 9, 2020. Gaining unauthorized access to voting machines is a felony in Michigan. The ProAssurance Casualty Company alleged DePerno made unreasonable demands of attorneys they had hired to represent him in the Moffits malpractice suit. And when DePerno asked her to enter the room to notarize mortgage documents, the secretary said it was clear Cathy Moffit had been crying and did not want to sign the papers. Matthew DePerno was born in Warren and raised in Troy, Michigan. The newspaper donated the attorney fees it recovered from DePerno to the Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation. Dernis labeled DePerno a person of integrity. She has repeatedly made unproven and false claims about Michigan's voting system. I just think this guy is going to be looking for election fraud under rocks," LaBrant said. ", More:Matt DePerno's rapid rise in GOP politics mired in controversy, lawsuits. . . Karamo beats DePerno in Michigan GOP chair race, moving the party 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. But he told Bridge he cannot discuss details because of a confidential settlement. Democratic Gov. 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. Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. In his suit, DePerno said he had explained "the background of every issue identified" and "rebutted any reasonable notion of improper conduct.". Who's in, out of race? Baker didn't respond to a request for comment. While the case was ultimately settled, what he saw in pre-trial hearings was abhorrent, Buhl told Bridge Michigan. DePerno Law Office, PLLC - Matthew DePerno Law Office He moved to Kalamazoo Michigan in 1995 after law school, where he currently resides with his wife of 25 years, Laura and their two dogs Toby and Kodak. Matthew DePerno was born in Warren and raised in Troy, Michigan. Guy's office sent the official numbers to the Bureau of Elections at 6:35 a.m. on Nov. 7, 2020. For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive. State Rep. Ryan Berman is also running. Matt DePerno, a Republican candidate for Michigan attorney general, has appeared at Capitol rallies calling for a forensic audit of the 2020 presidential election. Experts say there isno credible evidenceof 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. Courser, who was accused of using House staff and resources to help cover up an extra-marital affair, ultimately pleaded no contest to a charge of willful neglect of duty by a public officer, a one-year misdemeanor. 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. Forton said his decision was meant to ensure that a "grassroots-type" hopeful had a chance to win. The Michigan Court of Appeals ultimately upheld the decision to allow Dodge to remain a judge. 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. And I think were peaking.". 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. But court records show judges have repeatedly sanctioned or complained about his courtroom conduct. 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. Matt DePerno announces bid for Michigan Republican Party chair In August, Nessel sought a special prosecutor to consider charges against DePerno and eight others over an alleged conspiracy to gain improper access to voting machines. I have always supported Matt DePerno, said state Rep. Angela Rigas, R-Caledonia, as she entered the convention on Saturday. Whitmer" for her nursing home policies. The guys got no ethics at all, William Buhl, a retired Van Buren County Circuit Court judge and former Republican, told Bridge. 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. Vote Furyk. 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. DePerno had padded billings, claimed excessive write offs, manipulated the firms timekeeping system and logged hours with no explanation, according to the interoffice memo prepared by Kreis Enderle administrator Mike Beam. 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. If you care about Michigan, please support our work. 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, DePerno rose to political prominence challenging the 2020 presidential election results, sought a special prosecutor to consider charges against DePerno. Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for "for all the damage they have done" in office. DePerno and the firm eventually reached a settlement the terms of which were not available in court documents. The two have been married for over 26 years and raised three children together. "Petitioners have also have been in direct contact with the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department to resolve the bench warrants.". Matthew DePerno: Trump-backed GOP candidate for Michigan AG under - CNN Getting Trumps endorsement was huge for DePernos campaign. Hilson, a Democrat who was named the special prosecutor in September, continues to review the case. Confused, concerned and ultimately outraged that DePerno was charging them nearly $140,000 after losing them $13,000, Ronald Moffit said he confronted DePerno over the legal bill, which led to what the couples attorney would later call battery and assault by DePerno. 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. Because of the conflict of interest of investigating him, Nessel sought the appointment of a special prosecutor to decide if charges are warranted. Because of the conflict of interest of investigating him, Nessel sought the appointment of a special prosecutor to decide if charges are warranted. But the changing tallies led to a wave of concerns and conspiracy theories about what had happened. Democratic President Joe Biden beat Trump by 154,188 votes in Michigan. Before DePerno launched Michigan AG bid, he cleared up arrest warrant 0:57. Repeating the Big Lie is dangerous and presents a very serious threat to our democracy," said Lavora Barnes, chairwoman of the Michigan Democrat Party, in April. As a tax attorney who worked primarily in Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties, his legal career has been marked by discord. 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 . At the end of 2020, DePerno began gaining national attention for challenging the election results in northern Michigan's Antrim County. On Nov. 8, voters will decide whether to put him in the attorney general's office. "Thats what I am counting on, Greene said. Industrious Republican. Samantha DePerno, 19, began her sophomore year at MSU this past Fall, 2021. As a tax attorney who worked primarily in Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties, his legal career has been marked by discord. A 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 tocourt recordsreviewed by Bridge Michigan. About. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement. 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Matthew DePerno - Ballotpedia 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. DePerno's campaign didn't respond. Some attorneys are more challenging than others, Dodge said in an email. Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Other issues her campaign highlights includes consumer protection, protection for seniors, environmental protection, health care access, and robocall reductions. Matthew DePerno for Attorney General Home About Platform Volunteer State Convention Delegate DONATE 517-618-9655 Team@Depernoformi.com 3105 S Martin Luther King Blvd #104 Lansing, MI 48910 Matt's Plan To Fix the Michigan GOP FILL EVERY PRECINCT DELEGATE SLOT In April, we the people pulled off a HUGE win. Matt and Laura have three wonderful children who are all current or former students at Michigan State University (MSU). He picked the fight and then billed them $130,000. In 1994, he received his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and the following year his Masters in Taxation Law (LL.M.) 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. Elections 2022. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Taxation 1994-95 University of Detroit Mercy School of Law 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. From beginning to end, the problem is you.. And I continuously showed that throughout my career. According to unofficial results, Nessel leads DePerno by 300,000 votes - about 7 points. Jason Roe, a former executive director of the Michigan Republican Party, said "crazy" had trumped Trump at Saturday's convention. (Bridge photo by Jonathan Oosting). Matthew has been fighting against tyranny in Michigan for many years, including protesting across the state against Whitmer and Nessel's unconstitutional mask mandates, school and business lockdowns, vaccine mandates, and critical race theory. "The tremendous GOP grassroots enthusiasm for DePerno combined with Nessel trying to shut down Line 5 and talking about a drag queen in every classroom gives DePerno the best chance to win of any Republican on the statewide ticket," said Yob, who previously advised the lawyer's campaign. Firm: Michigan AG hopeful Matt DePerno fired over 'padded,' false Whitmer" for her nursing home policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, called for increased transparency standards for state government and voiced opposition to abortion. He has been defending America's constitutional civil liberties for over 25 years. Courser, who was accused of using House staff and resources to help cover up an extra-marital affair, ultimately pleaded no contest to a charge of willful neglect of duty by a public officer, a one-year misdemeanor. A judge rejected the litigation, saying her claims were "unsubstantiated" or misinterpreted Michigan election law. 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. Other Republican activists also lined up behind DePerno, citing his aggressive approach. In 2005, DePerno launched his own law firm in Kalamazoo County, where he's practiced tax and real estate law. Not too many people would have stuck by my family and myself like Matt has.". ", Karamo dismissed concerns about declining donations to the state party, saying thats going to change right away.. "Incredibly, the appeals court noted, DePerno made the following analogy: lets assume a Judge was raped. 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. Subject. Lawyers for The News attempted to collect the money from DePerno but said in court documents that DePerno transferred his interest in a 2015 Ford Flex and 2012 Ford Focus to his wife, Laura, "with actual intent to hinder, delay and/or defraud The News from collecting the amount awarded." DePerno took on "several cases regarding the unconstitutional nature of these lockdowns and mandates.". "I think it's extremely problematic," Truscott told Bridge Michigan. Ultimately, I collected the fees that were due to me, DePerno told Bridge. 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. 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. 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. Hilson, hasn't yet announced a decision. 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: Liar, Liar Pants on Fire - Michigan Democratic Party DePerno got his law degree at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 1994. Submit. All rights reserved. Connors agreed on July 2. DePerno is best known for defending former state Rep. Todd Courser after a2015 sex scandalcover up and challengingAntrim County election resultsin a failed lawsuit that spawned ongoing conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. 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.". 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.. The News asked DePerno and Nessel to release their most recent tax returns. Ultimately, I collected the fees that were due to me, DePerno told Bridge. Some Michigan Republicans say they are . We report because the news impacts all of us. In at least one instance, DePerno admitted that he falsified billing to a clients account, the law firms attorney said in a court filing. "Thank goodness that most of my cases were nothing like this one. Nessel's race was seen as one of the closer statewide campaigns during the tight midterm race. The numbers became jumbled during the communication of the unofficial results to the county's election management system. 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 . 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. Michigan GOP delegates chose ex-President Donald Trump's candidates for attorney general, Matthew DePerno, and secretary of state, Kristina Karamo. 2023 Bridge Michigan. Matt DePerno has been dodging questions about his personal finances for years, and this is one more reason why Michiganders cant trust him to be their next AG," said Emily Trifone, deputy communications director at the Democratic Attorneys General Association. On. Dodge has since retired and told Bridge Michigan he did not remember the dispute well. 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. 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. But Democrats have slammed his continued unproven claims about fraud in the 2020 election. Karamo's election as state party chair marks the first time in state history that both the Michigan Republican and Democratic parties are chaired by Black women. 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper, DePerno said of the last presidential election. Where Michigan attorney general foes Dana Nessel and Matthew DePerno stand. 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. 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 can't answer that question," the lawyer said. Jimmy Greene, president of Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan, is among the state Republicans who have warmed to DePerno as the general election neared. I have fought to try to vindicate President Trump when no one else would., Doing the right thing doesnt always make you popular," DePerno added moments later. ", 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. I'll continue to write good people in on my election ballots. "Dana Nessel, the Radical Left, and the RINOs (Republicans in name only) are targeting Matt because he gets results and has exposed so much voter fraud in Antrim County, and many more places, in the 2020 election," Trump said at the time. Kristina Karamo elected chair of Michigan Republican Party DePerno lost the 2022 attorney general election to incumbent Attorney General Dana Nessel by nearly nine points. The grievance commission, the investigative arm of the Michigan Supreme Court, only makes its findings public if it authorizes formal charges against a lawyer with the state Attorney Discipline Board, which it did not do for DePerno. 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. And DePerno later sued their attorney unsuccessfully for defamation. Why Michigan Republicans are fretting about 2024 | The Hill The Moffits never filed a criminal complaint. "And I have had people approach me across the state, and they've asked me, 'Where did that money go?'". 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. It just screams out: This is why people hate lawyers. We dont need this in our profession.. 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. Aug. 15:Report: Trump allies sought election data in Antrim, Wayne countiesApril 23:Michigan GOP endorses Trump favorites DePerno, Karamo at conventionApril 21:DePerno loses another bid for Antrim County audit as court dismisses appealApril 12:Trump favorite Matt DePerno back in court, seeks another Antrim County audit. We are honored to have Kari's support in this race, check out the full endorsement! He argued Michigan needed "the guidance of a fighter. It's unclear why DePerno was never arrested. But he told Bridge he cannot discuss details because of a confidential settlement. Michigan GOP Set to Nominate Election-Denying Lawyer Backed by Trump 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.". Thanks for submitting! Matthew has been attacked many times from elected officials, including current Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, but he has not backed down. 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. As attorney general, youre the states chief law enforcement officer. "The creditor's exam was scheduled for today," Connors said in court on Feb. 7, 2020, according to a transcript. DePerno, who had worked with the Moffits on tax issues in the past, allegedly convinced the couple he could negotiate with the IRS. Michigan GOP precinct delegates will vote to endorse a candidate at an April 23 convention that will decide the partys de facto nominee to take on Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel in November. If you can't abide by the laws and the rules, how do you have the moral authority to prosecute criminals?". DePerno has clashed frequently with Republicans who have stressed the need to move on from the 2020 election. 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. That happens all the time, and then things are resolved.. DePerno, who had worked with the Moffits on tax issues in the past, allegedly convinced the couple he could negotiate with the IRS. 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. $400,000 for an Election Fraud Defense Fund in 2020, and critics have urged him to disclose what he did with that money. Leave us a message. @mdeperno. DePerno lost to Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel by 9 percentage points in November. Could that Judge then rule on rape cases, or would that create a bias for the Judge? But he told Bridge he cannot discuss details because of a confidential settlement. ", "If it wasn't for Matt, we'd be out on the streets," Dernis told Bridge. Civil rights issues are a main focus of Nessel's, and she founded the Fair Michigan Foundation. State Rep. Steve Carra, R-Three Rivers, has been an outspoken DePerno supporter. 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.
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