The Michigan Department of Attorney General utilizes the services of Special Assistant Attorneys General from time to time when the unique circumstances of a particular case create the need for specialized services not currently available within the department.
The Michigan Attorney General has determined that a full and complete investigation of what happened within the Catholic Church is required. This investigation is and will continue to be independent, thorough, transparent, and prompt. My department and this investigation will find out who knew what, and when.
The Conviction Integrity Unit (the “CIU”) investigates claims of innocence to determine whether there is clear and convincing new evidence that the convicted defendant was not the person who committed the offense.
In Michigan, a victim is an individual who suffers direct or threatened physical, financial, or emotional harm as a result of the commission of a crime.
The Task Force launched in 2019 and consists of more than 55 different organizations in the public, private and nonprofit sectors - all working together to combat elder abuse.
The laws regarding expungement of criminal offenses in Michigan changed in major ways in April of 2021. This page is designed to help applicants navigate their way through the new laws, help them determine if they are eligible to have convictions expunged, to answer frequently asked questions about the new laws, and to provide links for resources and assistance.
To investigate and prosecute hate crimes by following up on every credible tip and offer departmental resources to assist local and federal law enforcement partners in this effort.
The Michigan Attorney General is leading the fight against this horrific crime by prosecuting the state's first-ever criminal cases under state law banning human trafficking in Michigan. Victims of human trafficking are in bondage through force, fraud or coercion, for the purpose of sex or labor exploitation.
Knowing how to guard your personal information is your first line of defense against identity theft.
Michigan Attorney General's robocall initiative is leading several efforts to protect Michigan residents from the billion plus robocalls made to them every year.
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq, provides that requesters can receive copies or make inspections of most public records of public bodies upon written request.
The Open Meetings Act (OMA) took effect January 1, 1977. In enacting the OMA, the Legislature promoted a new era in governmental accountability and fostered openness in government to enhance responsible decision making.1 Nothing in the OMA prohibits a public body from adopting an ordinance, resolution, rule, or charter provision that requires a greater degree of openness relative to public body meetings than the standards provided for in the OMA. 2
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April 10, 2025
LANSING – Today, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined a coalition of 15 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, for unlawfully rescinding an extended deadline that allowed states and local school districts to use pandemic relief education funds appropriated by Congress. The lawsuit challenges the Department’s abrupt decision, communicated on March 28, 2025, to shorten the deadline for reimbursement requests related to Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations and American Rescue Plan funds to that same day. The prior deadlines, in March of 2026, had been in place to allow for delayed reimbursement of pre-approved projects.
“School districts across our state relied on a clear, approved timeline to complete essential projects to keep classrooms warm, ventilated, and safe for kids,” Nessel said. “Rescinding those funds at the last minute without warning or any legal basis is illegal and harms some of Michigan’s most vulnerable children. If the administration won’t stand with America’s students, I proudly will.”
Upon request by the State, the DOE had extended the period during which it would pay out several significant funding sources allocated by Congress. When the DOE terminated those extensions, they caused immediate and irreparable harm to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), local districts, and the State’s public school students by severing the State’s access to more than $25 million in education stabilization funds.
“We will continue to work with Attorney General Nessel to challenge federal actions that harm schoolchildren and violate the law,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice. “The U.S. Department of Education should not be able to rescind its prior approval for funds to local school districts to protect the health and safety of students and school staff.”
Among the millions of dollars withheld are critical education and care program dollars meant for children experiencing homelessness, coordinated transportation funding to support attendance in rural areas, and professional development funds to support educators’ work with students who have experienced trauma. School districts expecting a share of the $188,000 already requested and approved for these purposes include: Bay-Arenac ISD, Hudsonville Public Schools, Macomb ISD, Marquette-Alger RESA, Monroe County ISD, and the St. Joseph County ISD.
“I will fight for our students and protect students from any federal action that would harm them,” said Dr. Pamela Pugh, president of State Board of Education. “As a public health professional for many years, I know the importance of projects to improve the air quality and safety of our schools—which was illustrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our children deserve better from the U.S. Department of Education.”
Nearly $17 million to support critical programs and infrastructure improvements for Michigan schools, including millions for building upgrades already underway, remain illegally withheld by the DOE. These millions are intended to fund construction of additional classroom space, HVAC installation, upgrades, and repairs, purchases of curriculum and instructional material, purchases of library books and equipment, and purchases of other educational technology.
The school districts were approved to receive the following funds, which have yet to be drawn:
Additional schools approved for hundreds of thousands of dollars include Bridgeport-Spaulding, Brighton Area Schools, Chandler Park Academy, Lincoln Park School District, and Woodhaven-Brownstown Schools.
The lawsuit alleges the Department of Education violated the Administrative Procedure Act by:
Joining Attorney General Nessel in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and the District of Columbia, along with the Governor of Pennsylvania.
The complaint can be found here (PDF).
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