A Republican-led state Senate panel that spent months investigating the contest found no evidence of widespread fraud. In a related case, involving a malpractice claim against DePerno, he argued the Kreis Enderle firm invented a claim of misconduct to deny him state unemployment benefits. "As attorney general, you're the state's chief law enforcement officer. 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. If you care about Michigan, please support our work. 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. Trump's campaign lawyer, Christina Bobb, worked with DePerno on the convention floor. 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. 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 . In at least one instance, DePerno admitted that he falsified billing to a clients account, the law firms attorney said in a court filing. More:As Michigan AG race narrows, Nessel's comments, cases take center stage. Gretchen Whitmer also won another term with Democrats taking control of the Legislature for the first time in 40 years. "I'll pass. Trump, who's campaigning for the GOP presidential nomination in 2024, endorsed DePerno for party chair in January. 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. People need to see a competent party, Karamo said. Taxation 1994-95 University of Detroit Mercy School of Law "We look forward to having a Republican Party that shows Michiganders that were here to serve. The Michigan Court of Appeals ultimately upheld the decision to allow Dodge to remain a judge. That happens all the time, and then things are resolved.. Guy's office sent the official numbers to the Bureau of Elections at 6:35 a.m. on Nov. 7, 2020. Matthew DePerno is an attorney who serves clients worldwide from his office in Kalamazoo Michigan, USA. 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. 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. 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. Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for "for all the damage they have done" in office. He alleged oppression of a minority shareholder and said his termination caused "extreme mental anguish, emotional distress, shock and humiliation.". 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. But he told Bridge he cannot discuss details because of a confidential settlement. 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. After realizing there were problems with the numbers, Antrim County Clerk Sheryl Guy's office canvassed the election results and reported official numbers. But Democrats have slammed his continued unproven claims about fraud in the 2020 election. If you cant abide by the laws and the rules, how do you have the moral authority to prosecute criminals?. I've taken on tough cases. DePerno is well-known and well-liked by many clients, but his legal career has been marked by some discord. All (DePerno) was interested in was generating fees for himself and protecting his way to collect it, Buhl said. Kristina Karamo (Secretary of State) - $796,022. "Were going to win.. 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.. 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. DePerno has never been publicly disciplined by the state, according to records from the Attorney Discipline Board. Could that Judge then rule on rape cases, or would that create a bias for the Judge? His experience and record of success has benefited individuals, small business, and multi-national corporations. If you can't abide by the laws and the rules, how do you have the moral authority to prosecute criminals?". 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 has also referred to Nessel, who is gay, as a groomer, which has drawn condemnation. 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. "There is currently a hearing scheduled for March 12, 2020, at which time petitioners will presumably be arrested pursuant to the bench warrants," DePerno wrote. LANSING Former President Donald Trump endorsed Kalamazoo attorney Matt DePerno on Friday in the race for chairman of the Michigan Republican Party. 2023 Bridge Michigan. Getting Trumps endorsement was huge for DePernos campaign. You can also contact us by using this form: First Name. Attorney general candidate Matthew DePerno is a favorite of former President Donald Trump and a leading proponent of efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election in Michigan. But he told Bridge he cannot discuss details because of a confidential settlement. He fights the fight for the little guy, and for the good guy. ", 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. 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. 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"Him and I had discussions as to whether I should run," DePerno said. 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. Kallman declined to detail the issues. from the New York University School of Law. In a related case, involving a malpractice claim against DePerno, he argued the Kreis Enderle firm invented a claim of misconduct to deny him state unemployment benefits. Matthew DePerno: What to know about Michigan GOP attorney general candidate. In a Feb. 26, 2020, filing in the Court of Appeals, DePerno addressed the warrants facing him and his client. DePerno had represented an older couple Ronald and Cathleen Moffit whose home burned down in 2011. DePerno took on "several cases regarding the unconstitutional nature of these lockdowns and mandates.". 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. The grievance commission can also privately admonish an attorney or place them on contractual probation, but those lighter punishments are not made public. Matthew DePerno was born in Warren and raised in Troy, Michigan. Other issues her campaign highlights includes consumer protection, protection for seniors, environmental protection, health care access, and robocall reductions. Lansing Republican Matt DePerno's embrace of former President Donald Trump's unproven election fraud claims moved the Kalamazoo trial lawyer from political obscurity to the front lines. Whitmer" for her nursing home policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, called for increased transparency standards for state government and voiced opposition to abortion. 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.". 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. Submit. Ive taken on tough cases. I will issue bench warrants.". DePerno has a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and later earned law degrees from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and New York University School of Law. Whitmer" for her nursing home policies. ", 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. Matthew has been attacked many times from elected officials, including current Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, but he has not backed down. "The creditor's exam was scheduled for today," Connors said in court on Feb. 7, 2020, according to a transcript. "I've been doing this for 25 years," DePerno said of his legal background. However, Democrats overperformed in many of their races, polls have consistently shown. 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. His experience and record of success has benefited individuals, small business, and multi-national corporations. 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. Gretchen Whitmer in public polling and in the last election. 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 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. But it leaves him running to. 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. 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. 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. Nessel's office began its investigation in February, before DePerno was her opponent. In order to win the chair position, a candidate had to receive more than 50% support. 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.) The News eventually sued Laura DePerno in Kalamazoo County court, and Matt DePerno challenged the Washtenaw County court's ruling in the state Court of Appeals. DePerno got his law degree at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 1994. 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. 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. And I continuously showed that throughout my career. Paid for with regulated funds by End Citizens United Non-Federal MI. Nessel's office began its investigation in February, before DePerno was her opponent. Matthew S. DePerno, Esq. DePerno worked as a partner in a law firm before opening DePerno Law Office in 2005. 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. I think the party recreates itself locally. "From his dangerous stances on abortion and birth control, to his embrace of Donald Trumps most fringe election conspiracy theories, its clear that Michigan needs to reelect Dana Nessel as AG.". Courser and DePerno unsuccessfully argued audio recordings that prompted Livengood's reporting in 2015 had been improperly edited. Lansing Republican Matt DePerno's embrace of former President Donald Trump's unproven election fraud claims moved the Kalamazoo trial lawyer from political obscurity to the front lines. She becomes the first Black person to lead the Michigan GOP. "They are not here. And the GOP-controlled Michigan Senate Oversight Committee accused DePerno of spreading "misleading information and illogical conclusions.". Last Name. In May 2021, a local judge blocked DePerno's push for an "independent and nonpartisan forensic audit" in Antrim County. $400,000 for an Election Fraud Defense Fund in 2020, and critics have urged him to disclose what he did with that money. Some Republicans,including political strategist John Yob, now view DePerno as their best hope to win one of Michigan's top three offices on Election Day. Trump had also endorsed DePerno in that . DePerno is one of nine people who were investigated by Nessel's office for an alleged Michigan vote tabulator tampering scheme. 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 grievance commission can also privately admonish an attorney or place them on contractual probation, but those lighter punishments are not made public. 0:57. But he never did, the Moffits attorney alleged in the malpractice suit. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. DePerno faces incumbent Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel on Nov. 8. "I think it's extremely problematic," Truscott told Bridge Michigan. 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. But his supporters see him as a tenacious champion who's willing to take up causes others have declined. DePerno received a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, a J.D. In Ingham County, a judge overseeing Todd Coursers criminal case announced he might retire before his term ended because the headache of dealing with DePerno and the other attorneys started to "eat away" at him. The initial tallies in the Republican stronghold had Democrat Joe Biden winning by 3,260 votes with 62% of the overall total to Trump's 36%. 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. ", More:Matt DePerno's rapid rise in GOP politics mired in controversy, lawsuits. The Moffits never filed a criminal complaint. Matthew Wilk of Northville said Republicans cant rely on the state party to do things the state GOP used to do. Matthew has published 21 legal reports based on his findings from the forensic audit. In 2016, Buhlfiled a requestasking the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission to investigate DePerno after he was accused of legal malpractice. DePerno lost the 2022 attorney general election to incumbent Attorney General Dana Nessel by nearly nine points. He has a wife and three children. 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. Samantha DePerno, 19, began her sophomore year at MSU this past Fall, 2021. Perry Johnson (Governor) - $270,000. 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. Email. From beginning to end, the problem is you.. 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. DePerno has also said he supports and would enforce the states 1931 ban on abortion. 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. Will you please support our nonprofit newsroom? 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. Michiganders deserve more from their elected officials, and as American Citizens, our constitutional right to ensure fair, free, and secure elections. 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. DePerno later sued the law firm, claiming breach of contract and oppression of a minority shareholder. His wife, Laura, is a registered nurse and has experience in medical/surgical, transplant, cardiology, outpatient oncology, and trauma critical care. John Engler. 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. The newspaper donated the attorney fees it recovered from DePerno to the Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation. Matthew DePerno was born in Warren and raised in Troy, Michigan. We're not just a news organization, we're also your neighbors. DePerno had been endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Glaser of Cass County, Michael Farage of Grand Rapids Scott Aughney of Jackson County, Kent Boersma of Muskegon County and Drew Born of Kent County. 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. 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. I have always supported Matt DePerno, said state Rep. Angela Rigas, R-Caledonia, as she entered the convention on Saturday. In at least one instance, DePerno admitted that he falsified billing to a clients account, the law firms attorney said in a court filing. In his suit, DePerno said he had explained "the background of every issue identified" and "rebutted any reasonable notion of improper conduct.". 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. Gretchen Whitmer imposed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. At issue was DePernos effort to remove Cass County Judge Michael Dodge from the case, arguing the judge could not be impartial because he owned property on a separate lake. Nessel joked about a "drag queen for every school" during an event in June. DePerno committed fraud, deceit and dishonesty with regards to bogus billing, duplicate billing and write offs, in addition to other wrongful acts, his former law firm Kreis, Enderle, Calendar and Hudgins PC alleged in a 2006 legal filing. Conservative lawyer David Kallman, whose office is based in Lansing, said DePerno has done things he doesn't agree with. He also represented former state Rep. Todd Courser in a sex scandal cover-up case, which ended with Courser. It's unclear why DePerno was never arrested. 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. Because of the conflict of interest of investigating him, Nessel sought the appointment of a special prosecutor to decide if charges are warranted. Election Integrity Based. She has repeatedly made unproven and false claims about Michigan's voting system. Forton said his decision was meant to ensure that a "grassroots-type" hopeful had a chance to win. Dodge has since retired and told Bridge Michigan he did not remember the dispute well. 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.. DePerno, 53, is a Portage-based attorney who primarily works on tax cases and worked primarily in Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties. "The Washtenaw County Sheriff Department said they thought the bench warrant was so outrageous that they did not consider it enforceable," Shepard said. As he's campaigned for attorney general, DePerno vowed to "investigate and prosecute Gov. Matt and Laura have three wonderful children who are all current or former students at Michigan State University (MSU). Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. Nov 2. 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. DePerno, who had worked with the Moffits on tax issues in the past, allegedly convinced the couple he could negotiate with the IRS. But DePernos critics say GOP delegates should take a closer look at his legal career, which reveals a series of disputes with colleagues, judges and clients. The two have been married for over 26 years and raised three children together. 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. DePerno has called Nessel's allegations garbage and said she's using the investigatory powers of her office for political purposes. State Rep. Ryan Berman is also running. But he told Bridge he cannot discuss details because of a confidential settlement. DePerno also has fiercely loyal supporters who defend his legal work, including clients, who contend hed make a strong attorney general. Feb 10 Don't miss our Pre-Convention Rally with President Donald Trump THIS MONDAY! As DePerno worked on the 2020 election, his law office's website linked to a fundraising page that brought in nearly $400,000. He picked the fight and then billed them $130,000. For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive. 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. Vote DePerno. 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. DePerno also transferred "his interest in the marital home" to his wife's trust for $1, according to the lawyers for The News. Natalie DePerno, 23, graduated with an accounting degree from MSU. "The Republican Party is now pretty well cemented as the party of election denying, conspiracy theories, tin hats and supporting Capitol riots," Miller said. DePerno wasn't 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. He been critical of Nessels record as attorney general, accusing her of botching the criminal case involving the Flint water scandal and referring to her as drunk Dana because she admitted being intoxicated at a college football game. Matt attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree. I've taken on cases that people even in the media have disagreed with.. Miller called it a sad day for the GOP. On Nov. 8, voters will decide whether to put him in the attorney general's office. 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. Elissa Slotkin announces bid to succeed Debbie Stabenow. 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. On. In a statement, Tyson Shepard, DePerno's campaign manager, said the campaign is focused on issues affecting people across Michigan instead of "washed-out stories from years and years ago.". 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. Who's in, out of race? 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. They need to see a well-organized party.
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