matt deperno michigan matt deperno michigan

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 launched his campaign for attorney general, according to court records. Regardless, voters should trust him to run the states largest and most powerful law firm the attorney generals office because he is a fighter, DePerno said. At the end of 2020, DePerno began gaining national attention for challenging the election results in northern Michigan's Antrim County. DePerno is well-known and well-liked by many clients, but his legal career has been marked by some discord. State Rep. Ryan Berman is also running. DePerno has clashed frequently with Republicans who have stressed the need to move on from the 2020 election. After leaving that role, she opened her own law firm. 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. 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. 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper, DePerno said of the last presidential election. During her remarks on Saturday, Karamo said she refused to concede her 615,000-vote loss to Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson because the election was a "fraudulent process." Him and I had discussions as to whether I should run, DePerno said. "Incredibly, the appeals court noted, DePerno made the following analogy: lets assume a Judge was raped. The warrant was recalled when DePerno and The News reached a $20,000 settlement in May 2021. 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. If you care about Michigan, please support our work. Forton said his decision was meant to ensure that a "grassroots-type" hopeful had a chance to win. A Republican-led state Senate panel that spent months investigating the contest found no evidence of widespread fraud. Paid for with regulated funds by End Citizens United Non-Federal MI. Michiganders deserve more from their elected officials, and as American Citizens, our constitutional right to ensure fair, free, and secure elections. "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. Matt is a native of Michigan and has been a Kalamazoo resident with his wife, Laura, since 1994 after receiving his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy. The Michigan Court of Appeals ultimately upheld the decision to allow Dodge to remain a judge. When Courser and DePerno sued The Detroit News over its original reporting on the sex scandal, Washtenaw County Circuit Judge Timothy Connors dismissed the case and ordered Courser and DePerno to jointly pay $79,701.63 in sanctions. 2023 Bridge Michigan. The situation also became a focus of attacks this year against DePerno. He will have a staff of more than 500 people, and his . "Mr. DePerno has received calls from the sheriff's deputy that's going to come and try to execute writs of execution, I guess, on his office furniture and supplies," Baker said during a Jan. 16, 2020, court hearing. 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 at least one instance, DePerno admitted that he falsified billing to a clients account, the law firms attorney said in a court filing. However, Democrats overperformed in many of their races, polls have consistently shown. Two years into what had become a vicious legal fight, DePerno allegedly pressured the Moffits to sign a fee agreement that put their property mortgages up as collateral in the event they could not pay DePernos legal bills, which Buhl described as an unorthodox deal the kind of which he had never seen before. "Petitioners have also have been in direct contact with the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department to resolve the bench warrants.". His wife, Laura, is a registered nurse and has experience in medical/surgical, transplant, cardiology, outpatient oncology, and trauma critical care. Matt is a native of Michigan and has been a Kalamazoo resident with his wife, Laura, since 1994 after receiving his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy. Dodge has since retired and told Bridge Michigan he did not remember the dispute well. DePerno 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. 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. Former state Rep. Aaron Miller, a Republican from Sturgis, said Karamo's victory indicated some Michigan Republicans want to keep losing elections. I've taken on cases that people even in the media have disagreed with.. Matt attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree. They need to see a party actually advocating for the values we espouse. Both of the final two candidates, Karamo and DePerno, had denied the results of the 2020 election: Trump's loss. 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. Two years into what had become a vicious legal fight, DePerno allegedly pressured the Moffits to sign a fee agreement that put their property mortgages up as collateral in the event they could not pay DePernos legal bills, which Buhl described as an unorthodox deal the kind of which he had never seen before. Getting Trumps endorsement was huge for DePernos campaign. 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. Samantha DePerno, 19, began her sophomore year at MSU this past Fall, 2021. 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.. She was speaking out against "fake issues" that she said were dividing people. DePerno, who had worked with the Moffits on tax issues in the past, allegedly convinced the couple he could negotiate with the IRS. DePerno beat Tom Leonard in the second round of voting with 54% of . Kallman had hoped Greenlee would pull out an upset. He fights the fight for the little guy, and for the good guy. But he never did, the Moffits attorney alleged in the malpractice suit. 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. 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. 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, whom they owed money to, according to court filings. The secret to a good campaign is to peak at the right time," Greenlee said. The probe is completely ridiculous and part of the reason DePerno decided to run for attorney general, he told Bridge, likening it "totalitarianism" since Nessel's office battled him as opposing counsel in the Antrim County case. I think hed be the best to try to unify everybody," Kallman said. Vote DePerno. DePerno, 53, is a Portage-based attorney who primarily works on tax cases and worked primarily in Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties. One of DePerno's Republican convention opponents in the spring, Leonard, called on DePerno to detail what happened with the money in March. 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. 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. Will you please support our nonprofit newsroom? Matt DePerno, an attorney general candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump, sued the firm over his firing and denied the allegations in court. "Thank goodness that most of my cases were nothing like this one. People get into disputes and they say things about each other in litigation, he told Bridge in a phone interview. 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. ", While DePerno said he was conceding the race, he also said he would "refuse to concede that Michigan is a blue state. Perry Johnson (Governor) - $270,000. DePerno has also said he supports and would enforce the states 1931 ban on abortion. Tyson Shepard, DePerno's campaign manager, said the candidate would enforce the state's 1931 abortion ban, which prohibits the termination of any pregnancy except if necessary to preserve the life of the mother because it's the policy on the books. The guys got no ethics at all, William Buhl, a retired Van Buren County Circuit Court judge and former Republican, told Bridge. DePerno later sued the law firm, claiming breach of contract and oppression of a minority shareholder. If you care about Michigan, please support our work. Some Michigan Republicans say they are . And DePerno later sued their attorney unsuccessfully for defamation. State Rep. Steve Carra, R-Three Rivers, has been an outspoken DePerno supporter. Trump's campaign lawyer, Christina Bobb, worked with DePerno on the convention floor. 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. Nessel defeated Republican former House Speaker Tom Leonard that year by 3 points. The Protect the People political action committee called him a "corrupt lawyer" in one of its ads in recent days. Matt DePerno, an attorney general candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump, sued the firm over his firing and denied the allegations in court. I try not to get emotional when I talk about the guy," Dernis said. DePerno 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. DePerno got his law degree at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 1994. Leave us a message. 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. In an August interview, DePerno declined to say whether the money helped fund a group of "expert witnesses" who pushed to obtain and analyze voting tabulators in Michigan. And DePerno later sued their attorney unsuccessfully for defamation. Primary Election is August 2nd, 2022. That happens all the time, and then things are resolved.. 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. to willful neglect of duty by a public officer. 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. But the litigation created four volumes of records at the Kalamazoo County clerk's office. Asked about that, Castiglia countered that people "are getting sick of the doomsday Dem approach. But he told Bridge he cannot discuss details because of a confidential settlement. DePerno and the firm eventually reached a settlement the terms of which were not available in court documents. Ive taken on tough cases. 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. It just screams out: This is why people hate lawyers. We dont need this in our profession.. DePerno faces incumbent Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel on Nov. 8. 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. Karamo, DePerno and Lansing political consultant Scott Greenlee were initially the top three vote-getters in what was a nine-person race at the start of the convention Saturday morning in downtown Lansing. 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. About. "I think it's extremely problematic," Truscott told Bridge Michigan. The warrant was in place until the sanction was resolved in May 2021 because of a $20,000 settlement with The News. 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 dont know of any judges that have ever expressed a like for rapists.. Getting Trumps endorsement was huge for DePernos campaign. Elissa Slotkin announces bid to succeed Debbie Stabenow. 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. 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. A vote for Matt is a vote for your civil liberties! I've always proven that I don't back down from anyone, he said. But some Republicans were concerned about DePerno's track record. "They don't make guys like him anymore. A year ago this month, DePerno stood on the steps of the state Capitol in front of a banner that told people to "demand a forensic audit" of the November 2020 election. Karamo was elected as party chairwoman last month, defeating 10 other candidates including Trump-backed former attorney general candidate Matthew DePerno. DePerno is willing to take on "the status quo of corruption," Carra said. Were good neighbors and were going to be winning elections again.. Matt DePerno, a Republican candidate for Michigan attorney general, has appeared at Capitol rallies calling for a "forensic audit" of the 2020 presidential election. 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. 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. On Saturday morning, Macomb County Republican Chairman Mark Forton dropped out of the state chair race, leaving nine remaining candidates. Robert Baker, DePerno's lawyer for a portion of the case, told the court at one point that DePerno had "virtually no assets," according to a court transcript. Michigans nonpartisan, nonprofit news source. I've taken on tough cases. 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." On. A Republican-led state Senate panel that spent months investigating the contest foundno evidence of widespread fraud. Kari Lake, a champion for election integrity and the America First Movement, has officially endorsed Matt DePerno for MI GOP Chairman. Another factor in his decision to run: Trump, who in July encouraged him to enter the race. 500 Terry Francois St. SF, CA 94158. info@mysite.com 123-456-7890. DePerno has never been publicly disciplined by the state, according to records from the Attorney Discipline Board. The special prosecutor, D.J. 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. Connors agreed on July 2. He alleged oppression of a minority shareholder and said his termination caused "extreme mental anguish, emotional distress, shock and humiliation.". Regardless, voters should trust him to run the states largest and most powerful law firm the attorney generals office because he is a fighter, DePerno said. Ive always proven that I dont back down from anyone, he 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. Ultimately, I collected the fees that were due to me, DePerno told Bridge. As attorney general, youre the states chief law enforcement officer. Feb 10 Don't miss our Pre-Convention Rally with President Donald Trump THIS MONDAY! Critics of Karamo questioned her ability to unite the party, raise money and her history of spreading unfounded conspiracy theories involving elections, porn and yoga. Not too many people would have stuck by my family and myself like Matt has.". But he told Bridge he cannot discuss details because of a confidential settlement. 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. On February 20, 2014, Mr. DePerno physically grabbed (me) by the shirt and informed me that if I did not immediately pay the attorney fees owed that my wife and I would lose our home in a matter of weeks, Ronald Moffit, who died in 2019, said in his sworn affidavit. 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 . But court records show judges have repeatedly sanctioned or complained about his courtroom conduct. 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. 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 office of Dana Nessel, the Michigan attorney general, said that Matthew DePerno and other people had persuaded local clerks in three counties to hand over election equipment. DePerno, 53, is a Portage-based attorney who primarily works on tax cases and worked primarily in Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties. Conservative lawyer David Kallman, whose office is based in Lansing, said DePerno has done things he doesn't agree with. 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 . "The sanction award far exceeds the petitioners' ability to pay," Baker wrote in a filing on Jan. 9, 2020. If you cant abide by the laws and the rules, how do you have the moral authority to prosecute criminals?. (Bridge photo by Jonathan Oosting). from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and an LL.M. DePerno holds an English degree from the University of Michigan, a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy and a graduate degree in taxation from the New York University School of Law. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement. Nessel's office began its investigation in February, before DePerno was her opponent. 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. ", called on DePerno to detail what happened with the money, sought a special prosecutor to consider potential charges against DePerno and eight others because of an alleged "conspiracy" to gain improper access, The DePerno 9: Outspoken election critics tied to Michigan tabulator 'conspiracy', a Democrat who was named the special prosecutor in September, endorsed him to be Michigan's attorney general on Sept. 16, 2021, vowed to "investigate and prosecute Gov. 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.. 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. "So a police officer will be able to see on their laptop that theres a bench warrant for this person..