"Him and I had discussions as to whether I should run," DePerno said. 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. Whitmer" for her nursing home policies. "The Washtenaw County Sheriff Department said they thought the bench warrant was so outrageous that they did not consider it enforceable," Shepard said. One of DePerno's Republican convention opponents in the spring, Leonard, called on DePerno to detail what happened with the money in March. Ultimately, I collected the fees that were due to me, DePerno told Bridge. We're not just a news organization, we're also your neighbors. DePerno, speaking with Bridge, called the assault allegation an "outrageous" attempt by the Moffits to avoid paying their legal bills. Elections 2022. Thank goodness that most of my cases were nothing like this one.. Nessel's office began its investigation in February, before DePerno was her opponent. Ultimately, I collected the fees that were due to me, DePerno told Bridge. Beginningin June 1995, he practiced at Kreis, Enderle, Callander & Hudgins, but he had a falling out with the firm, which accused him of "acts of fraud and dishonesty" and alleged he "padded" his billable hours. Matt DePerno: Liar, Liar Pants on Fire From Plan B to the 2020 Elections, DePerno continues to lie his way through this election LANSING The Michigan Democratic Party today denounced statements made by GOP attorney general candidate Matt DePerno regarding his alleged involvement in a plot to illegally access voting tabulation machines. DePerno also transferred "his interest in the marital home" to his wife's trust for $1, according to the lawyers for The News. I think its extremely problematic, Truscott told Bridge Michigan. In 2016, Buhlfiled a requestasking the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission to investigate DePerno after he was accused of legal malpractice. "That would be a privileged question.". About. All (DePerno) was interested in was generating fees for himself and protecting his way to collect it, Buhl said. "The sanction award far exceeds the petitioners' ability to pay," Baker wrote in a filing on Jan. 9, 2020. Getting Trumps endorsement was huge for DePernos campaign. Last Name. For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive. I have always supported Matt DePerno, said state Rep. Angela Rigas, R-Caledonia, as she entered the convention on Saturday. "And yet, here I am running for attorney general to restore integrity, justice and morality in Michigan.. Nessel, the Democratic attorney general, later acknowledged that her office is investigating DePerno but said she recused herself from the probe given the political implications and will appoint a special counsel if charges are warranted. They've raised concerns about Dominion Voting Systems, the equipment used in Antrim County. Home | Matt DePerno 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. Michigan Officials Push to Investigate Matthew DePerno in 2020 Election John Engler. Matt DePerno has earned the endorsement of the Michigan Republican Party to take on incumbent Democrat Dana Nessel in November. And in a new sign of former President Donald Trump's diminishing influence, the women beat the Trump-endorsed ticket of Matt DePerno and Garrett Soldano to replace MAGA loyalist Meshawn Maddock and establishment fundraiser Ron Weiser. Matthew DePerno for Attorney General DePerno denied many of the accusations but eventually negotiated a settlement with the Moffits, whose attorney declined to discuss terms of the deal. 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. 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. Hes also suggested banning Plan B, an emergency contraceptive that can prevent pregnancy if taken within three days of having unprotected sex. Dodge has since retired and told Bridge Michigan he did not remember the dispute well. The Michigan Advance was one of the outlets denied media credentials to cover . 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. 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. 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. All rights reserved. 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. 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. She said in her victory speech she plans to move the state forward over the next four years. 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. 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.". 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. 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. But it leaves him running to. DePerno who has pushed former President Donald Trump's false claims of widespread election fraud has slammed the probe, which is now led by a special prosecutor. 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. "Thank goodness that most of my cases were nothing like this one. Connors agreed on July 2. His experience and record of success has benefited individuals, small business, and multi-national corporations. Matthew DePerno for Attorney General 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. 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. 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. Greenlee said Republicans were responding to his message of activating and engaging the delegates. Industrious Republican. 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 has never been publicly disciplined by the state, according to records from the Attorney Discipline Board. Him and I had discussions as to whether I should run, DePerno said. 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. He's challenging Democrat Attorney General Dana Nessel, a lawyer from Plymouth, who has under-performed Democratic Gov. On. The probe is completely ridiculous and part of the reason DePerno decided to run for attorney general, he told Bridge, likening it totalitarianism since Nessels office battled him as opposing counsel in the Antrim County case. 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. But Greene's organization changed course and endorsed DePerno earlier this month. She previously worked as an assistant prosecutor in the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. The two have been married for over 26 years and raised three children together. DePerno has called Nessel's allegations garbage and said she's using the investigatory powers of her office for political purposes. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. DePerno has clashed frequently with Republicans who have stressed the need to move on from the 2020 election. Then, on June 23, 2021, DePerno filed a motion to have the bench warrants set aside "nunc pro tunc," essentially meaning the cancellation should be retroactive to the day the warrants were issued in February 2020. 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. 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. 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. DePerno and Courser couldn't pay the amount, they argued in court. 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. We report because the news impacts all of us. Matt attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree. "Someone had to step up and take charge of what was happening. Now calling himself a constitutional attorney, DePerno told Bridge his favorite cases are those that involve constitutional rights people who have arguments that they've lost their rights because of government overreach.. ", In an Oct. 1 interview, DePerno said if he's elected, he'll work to lower Michigan's crime rate and combat sex trafficking. But he never did, the Moffits attorney alleged in the malpractice suit. His campaign website says he will "restore law and order" and "uphold the Constitution.". He will have a staff of more than 500 people, and his . 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. Contact - DePerno Law Office, PLLC Nessel, the Democratic attorney general, later acknowledged that her office is investigating DePerno but said she recused herself from the probe given the political implications and will appoint a special counsel if charges are warranted. But his supporters see him as a tenacious champion who's willing to take up causes others have declined. 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. Ironically, DePerno, who was a fierce opponent of the 2020 election results and consistently denied their outcome, conceded the race for attorney general prior to it being called by media outlets. DePerno is willing to take on "the status quo of corruption," Carra said. CONTACT. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has been declared the winner in the race for the state's top job. DePerno had represented an older couple Ronald and Cathleen Moffit whose home burned down in 2011. Getting Trumps endorsement was huge for DePernos campaign. He cut his teeth as a tax attorney in southwest Michigan but eventually expanded his Portage-based practice. Last weekend, Democrats reelected Lavora Barnes to a third term as chairwoman of the Michigan Democratic Party. Not too many people would have stuck by my family and myself like Matt has.". DePerno worked as a partner in a law firm before opening DePerno Law Office in 2005. A judge rejected the litigation, saying her claims were "unsubstantiated" or misinterpreted Michigan election law. After her election Saturday night, Karamo told The Detroit News her first priority as party chair is to grow the party with everyday residents and individuals in areas weve never penetrated, especially in urban America." But he told Bridge he cannot discuss details because of a confidential settlement. 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. But he never did, the Moffits attorney alleged in the malpractice suit. 38th State Senate Candidate for Michigan. The ProAssurance Casualty Company alleged DePerno made unreasonable demands of attorneys they had hired to represent him in the Moffits malpractice suit. Vote Karamo. From beginning to end, the problem is you.. Matt and Laura have three wonderful children who are all current or former students at Michigan State University (MSU). New York University School of Law Master of Laws (LL.M.) All (DePerno) was interested in was generating fees for himself and protecting his way to collect it, Buhl said. His experience and record of success has benefited individuals, small business, and multi-national corporations. from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and an LL.M. Some Republicans voiced frustration and uncertainty about the partys direction Saturday. He also represented former state Rep. Todd Courser in a sex scandal cover-up case, which ended with Courser. Subject. Hes helped a Portage high school student rejoin the tennis team after she had been kicked off following an illegal search of her car that revealed remnants of marijuana, DePerno said. In August 2022, Reuters reported that presumptive Republican nominee Matthew DePerno "led a team that gained unauthorized access to voting equipment while hunting for evidence to support former President Donald Trump's false election-fraud claims" following the 2020 election. 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. "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. Matt DePerno, a Republican candidate for Michigan attorney general, has appeared at Capitol rallies calling for a "forensic audit" of the 2020 presidential election. ", We're not just a news organization, we're also your neighbors. Submit. Not authorized by any candidate. Asked about his candidate's changing financial status, Shepard said DePerno's law firm attracted a lot of new business during the period after early 2020 partly because of restrictions Gov. He cut his teeth as a tax attorney in southwest Michigan but eventually expanded his Portage-based practice. Democratic Gov. 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.. Hes helped a Portage high school studentrejoin the tennis teamafter she had been kicked off following an illegal search of her car that revealed remnants of marijuana, DePerno said. "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. A Republican-led state Senate panel that spent months investigating the contest found no evidence of widespread fraud. "Incredibly, the appeals court noted, DePerno made the following analogy: lets assume a Judge was raped. Gretchen Whitmer also won another term with Democrats taking control of the Legislature for the first time in 40 years. DePerno wins GOP attorney general race after runoff; Karamo wins SOS DePerno faces incumbent Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel on Nov. 8. Baker didn't respond to a request for comment. 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. Other Republican activists also lined up behind DePerno, citing his aggressive approach. 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 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. Longtime GOP mega-donor Ron Weiser, a wealthy Ann Arbor businessman, opted against seeking another term as party chairman. In at least one instance, DePerno admitted that he falsified billing to a clients account, the law firms attorney said in a court filing. But in the 32 months that followed, DePerno launched a campaign for attorney general, won the Republican Party's nomination and poured $130,000 of his own money into his bid, representing about 13% of his total fundraising. 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. In his suit, DePerno said he had explained "the background of every issue identified" and "rebutted any reasonable notion of improper conduct.". Trump had actually won the county by 3,788 votes, 61%-37%, a 7,048-vote swing from the unofficial results. Nessel campaign spokeswoman Sarah Stevenson said the incumbent would provide hers if DePerno provided his. 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. 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. LANSING Former President Donald Trump endorsed Kalamazoo attorney Matt DePerno on Friday in the race for chairman of the Michigan Republican Party. 2023 FOX Television Stations, The heaviest snow is behind us heading into the weekend, Snow storm shuts down Detroit Metro Airport, Power outages hit Metro Detroit hard as winter storm pounds area, WATCH - Jennifer Hammond talks with Detroit Titans guard Antoine Davis after coming up just short of the NCAA all-time scoring record, Southeast Michigan weather: The latest totals and what to expect tonight, Dead woman found tied up, wrapped in tarp in abandoned Monroe County building, sources say, Disneyland banned Rebel Wilson over selfie, actress says, Winter storm leaves 205k DTE customers without power, dry and mild weekend ahead, MSP: Driver of crashed car fatally struck on I-96, at-fault driver without license. DePernos biggest claim to fame has been his efforts to find evidence that fraud cost Trump the election.
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