Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer today filed a complaint with the Michigan Department of State against Greg Andrews, Gov. Rick Snyder’s Marquette-based northern Michigan representative.
Andrews stepped into a sticky wicket recently when he used his state e-mail account to invite local officials to a Governor’s Breakfast before the Cherry Royale Parade, a highlight of the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City. The breakfast was a fundraiser for the Grand Traverse County Republican Party.
Using public resources for political fundraising violates state law, and the Traverse City Record-Eagle quickly pounced on the story, as did Brewer.
Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Alan Schneider said he wouldn’t press charges, noting prosecution would require a knowing violation of the law.
Now, Brewer is demanding an investigation.
“The lack of action by both Alan Schneider and (Republican state Attorney General) Bill Schuette has forced us to file a complaint against Mr. Andrews,” Brewer said in a press release. “We need to get to the bottom of this issue. Who knew about this email in the governor’s office and why was it allowed to be sent out?”
Snyder spokesman Sara Wurfel today said “(W)e clearly acknowledge this was incredibly inappropriate and a serious error in judgment.
“We’ve acted swiftly to handle the matter per Civil Service and State of Michigan guidelines and have taken aggressive steps to ensure this won’t happen again.”
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