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. DePerno has also referred to Nessel, who is gay, as a groomer, which has drawn condemnation. Matthew DePerno is an attorney who serves clients worldwide from his office in Kalamazoo Michigan, USA. Before the 2020 campaign, DePerno was most known for representing Courser, a Lapeer area Republican who resigned from the state House after he attempted to cover up an extramarital affair with a fellow lawmaker, and for challenging election results in northern Michigan's Antrim County. Another factor in his decision to run: Trump, who in July encouraged him to enter the race. Perry Johnson (Governor) - $270,000. Matthew DePerno for Attorney General I think its extremely problematic, Truscott told Bridge Michigan. Elissa Slotkin announces bid to succeed Debbie Stabenow. 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. 38th State Senate Candidate for Michigan. As he's campaigned for attorney general, DePerno vowed to "investigate and prosecute Gov. Putman and Glaser each got 12% on the first ballot. Firm: Michigan AG hopeful Matt DePerno fired over 'padded,' false It takes working together to restore this great state. ", Karamo dismissed concerns about declining donations to the state party, saying thats going to change right away.. His experience and record of success has benefited individuals, small business, and multi-national corporations. "We look forward to having a Republican Party that shows Michiganders that were here to serve. ", 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 yet, here I am running for attorney general to restore integrity, justice and morality in Michigan.. DePerno formed his campaign committee to run for attorney general 12 days later, on July 14, 2021. 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. Because of the conflict of interest of investigating him, Nessel sought the appointment of a special prosecutor to decide if charges are warranted. 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. 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. "Although we didn't emerge victorious tonight, I believe we sent a strong message to Lansing. Matthew DePerno for Attorney General 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. 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. Lansing Kristina Karamo, who lost her secretary of state race by 14 percentage points but refused to concede, will lead the Michigan Republican Party following an 11-hour convention and three rounds of voting Saturday at the Lansing Center. Paid for with regulated funds by End Citizens United Non-Federal MI. DePerno and state Rep. Daire Rendon, R-Lake City, were part of a group accused of "gain(ing) unauthorized access and compromised tabulators" in Roscommon County, Richfield Township, Lake Township and Irving Township between March and June of 2021, state attorneys allege. 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. DePerno, who had worked with the Moffits on tax issues in the past, allegedly convinced the couple he could negotiate with the IRS. Hes also suggested banning Plan B, an emergency contraceptive that can prevent pregnancy if taken within three days of having unprotected sex. 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. "They don't make guys like him anymore. And the GOP-controlled Michigan Senate Oversight Committee accused DePerno of spreading "misleading information and illogical conclusions.". DePerno faces incumbent Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel on Nov. 8. That happens all the time, and then things are resolved.. DePerno's work with Courser led to a years-long defamation suit against The News and staff member Chad Livengood, who broke the story of Courser's affair and the lawmaker's scheme to hide it. DePerno has also represented George Dernis, an Illinois businessman who's been in a years-long legal battle involving property in Michigan. 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, considered a favorite among the party's grassroots but viewed as divisive among the establishment, beat out former attorney general candidate Matt DePerno, 58% to 42%, in the third round of voting. Matts reports can be found at DePernoLaw.com. "I don't have a bad word to say about him, and other than people he grew up with and has been around his whole life, I probably got to know him better than anybody since the November election," Bailey said. DePerno has clashed frequently with Republicans who have stressed the need to move on from the 2020 election. Matthew DePerno - Ballotpedia 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 . 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. Greenlee said Republicans were responding to his message of activating and engaging the delegates. And DePerno later sued their attorney unsuccessfully for defamation. 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. They need to see a party actually advocating for the values we espouse. (Bridge photo by Jonathan Oosting). On Nov. 8, voters will decide whether to put him in the attorney general's office. DePerno is well-known and well-liked by many clients, but his legal career has been marked by some discord. 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. DePerno later sued the law firm, claiming breach of contract and oppression of a minority shareholder. Gretchen Whitmer also won another term with Democrats taking control of the Legislature for the first time in 40 years. He is currently representing an Ann Arbor firefighter who he said was fired for refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Hilson, hasn't yet announced a decision. Buhl, the retired judge who had prepared to serve as an expert witness for the Moffits legal defense team, asked the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission to investigate DePerno in 2016. The contraceptive prevents ovulation and does not induce an abortion. On his website he states he would declare critical race theory unconstitutional, calling it a Marxist agenda.. Michigan AG nominee DePerno is investigated by AG's office : NPR Submit. She said the party would focus on local issues over national politics. Nessel's race was seen as one of the closer statewide campaigns during the tight midterm race. 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. Thanks for submitting! "The creditor's exam was scheduled for today," Connors said in court on Feb. 7, 2020, according to a transcript. Connors agreed on July 2. He also represented former state Rep. Todd Courser in a sex scandal cover-up case, which ended with Courser. Were going to be a political machine that strikes fear in the heart of Democrats," Karamo told delegates. 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." On. People have to see something worth investing in," she said, "and the party hasnt proven itself to be such.. Incredibly, the appeals court noted, DePerno made the following analogy: lets assume a Judge was raped. 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper, DePerno said of the last presidential election. Vote Furyk. 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. Kallman had hoped Greenlee would pull out an upset. DePerno had represented an older couple Ronald and Cathleen Moffit whose home burned down in 2011. Rigas described DePerno as the person who can unite the party. "He will never give up, and thats why they absolutely cannot stand him.". 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. I dont have a bad word to say about him, and other than people he grew up with and has been around his whole life, I probably got to know him better than anybody since the November election, Bailey 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. 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.. Dodge has since retired and told Bridge Michigan he did not remember the dispute well. 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. from New York University School of Law. 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 one of nine people who were investigated by Nessel's office for an. 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. Matthew DePerno for Michigan (@deperno4mi) / Twitter Matthew DePerno: Trump-backed GOP candidate for Michigan AG under - CNN DePerno is a leading advocate for a forensic audit of the 2020 election. Forton said his decision was meant to ensure that a "grassroots-type" hopeful had a chance to win. John Engler. 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. Those allegations, contained in never-before-reported documents out of Kalamazoo County Circuit Court, were only made public because DePerno sued the firm in an attempt to cash out his shares and transfer the lease on a company vehicle that was repossessed after his firing. Connors previously ordered DePerno and Courser to pay a sanction of $79,701. In 2016, Buhlfiled a requestasking the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission to investigate DePerno after he was accused of legal malpractice. Nessel joked about a "drag queen for every school" during an event in June. @mdeperno. I've taken on tough cases. But it leaves him running to. 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. At the end of 2020, DePerno began gaining national attention for challenging the election results in northern Michigan's Antrim County. His campaign website says he will "restore law and order" and "uphold the Constitution.". As attorney general, youre the states chief law enforcement officer. Greene once tweeted that DePerno would be an "unmitigated disaster." DePerno had been endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Home | Matt DePerno 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. DePerno, 53, is a Portage-based attorney who primarily works on tax cases and worked primarily in Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties. 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 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. See also: Michigan Attorney General election, 2022 "Were going to win.. DePerno denied many of the accusations but eventually negotiated a settlement with the Moffits, whose attorney declined to discuss terms of the deal. Nessel campaign spokeswoman Sarah Stevenson said the incumbent would provide hers if DePerno provided his. "The Washtenaw County Sheriff Department said they thought the bench warrant was so outrageous that they did not consider it enforceable," Shepard said. Democratic President Joe Biden beat Trump by 154,188 votes in Michigan. Matt DePerno: Liar, Liar Pants on Fire - Michigan Democratic Party Not too many people would have stuck by my family and myself like Matt has.". DePerno is willing to take on "the status quo of corruption," Carra said. . All (DePerno) was interested in was generating fees for himself and protecting his way to collect it, Buhl said. "I've been doing this for 25 years," DePerno said of his legal background. But court records show judges have repeatedly sanctioned or complained about his courtroom conduct. As a tax attorney who worked primarily in Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties, his legal career has been marked by discord. DePerno has begun to pivot to other issues 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. ", In an Oct. 1 interview, DePerno said if he's elected, he'll work to lower Michigan's crime rate and combat sex trafficking. Could that Judge then rule on rape cases, or would that create a bias for the Judge? On Saturday morning, Macomb County Republican Chairman Mark Forton dropped out of the state chair race, leaving nine remaining candidates. 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. All rights reserved. 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. Trump's backing helped DePerno win a three-way race at an April convention for the party's attorney general nomination. A vote for Matt is a vote for your civil liberties! As recently as last month, he criticized the GOP-led Legislature for failing to. 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. Nessel's office began its investigation in February, before DePerno was her opponent. Both of the final two candidates, Karamo and DePerno, had denied the results of the 2020 election: Trump's loss. 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. 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. On Feb. 6, 2020, Connors signed a bench warrant for DePerno's arrest and for him to be brought before the court "immediately" for failure to appear, according to a document. ", "If it wasn't for Matt, we'd be out on the streets," Dernis told Bridge. His clients included former state Rep. Todd Courser, a Lapeer area Republican who was accused of misusing taxpayer dollars to cover up an affair, and Tim Rugg, an Ann Arbor firefighter who challenged the city's COVID-19 vaccine policy. 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. 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.". But court records show judges have repeatedly sanctioned or complained about his courtroom conduct. DePerno, who had worked with the Moffits on tax issues in the past, allegedly convinced the couple he could negotiate with the IRS.
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