I think were going to do local infrastructure and getting back to basics, the blocking and tackling of winning elections.". Gretchen Whitmer imposed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. 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. It takes working together to restore this great state. She said in her victory speech she plans to move the state forward over the next four years. @mdeperno. "And I assume that the next step would be after this debtor's exam today to determine who owes Mr. DePerno money, and then they're going to proceed to garnish all of his, or what they can, of his receivables.". If you care about Michigan, please support our work. DePerno filed a lawsuit on behalf of Antrim County resident Bill Bailey, and he and his supporters claimed, without evidence, the problems were because of the technology itself. Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Not authorized by any candidate. Conservative lawyer David Kallman, whose office is based in Lansing, said DePerno has done things he doesn't agree with. 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper, DePerno said of the last presidential election. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Nessel's race was seen as one of the closer statewide campaigns during the tight midterm race. 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. Miller called it a sad day for the GOP. The billing allegations could be a disqualifying factor for DePerno as a candidate, said John Truscott, a Republican public relations professional who served as press secretary under former Gov. 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. DePerno refused. The two have been married for over 26 years and raised three children together. But the litigation created four volumes of records at the Kalamazoo County clerk's office. DePerno is one of nine people who were investigated by Nessel's office for an alleged Michigan vote tabulator tampering scheme. "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. Hilson, a Democrat who was named the special prosecutor in September, continues to review the case. 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. 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. DePerno is a leading advocate for a forensic audit of the 2020 election. Ive always proven that I dont back down from anyone, he said. Vote Karamo. 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. People get into disputes and they say things about each other in litigation, he told Bridge in a phone interview. A court filing showed the bench warrant was stamped "canceled" on May 6, 2021. 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. More:As Michigan AG race narrows, Nessel's comments, cases take center stage. Metro Detroit lawyer Jalal J. Dallo, who practices criminal defense, said bench warrants are typically ordered when someone is supposed to appear in court but doesn't show up. Forton said his decision was meant to ensure that a "grassroots-type" hopeful had a chance to win. 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. "The Washtenaw County Sheriff Department said they thought the bench warrant was so outrageous that they did not consider it enforceable," Shepard said. "They are not here. A Republican-led state Senate panel that spent months investigating the contest found no evidence of widespread fraud. That happens all the time, and then things are resolved.. In an interview Tuesday, DePerno told Bridge he and colleagues had a dispute on where the firm was going but resolved the case with mutual satisfaction. He declined to discuss specific allegations, citing the secrecy agreement. 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. On February 20, 2014, Mr. DePerno physically grabbed (me) by the shirt and informed me that if I did not immediately pay the attorney fees owed that my wife and I would lose our home in a matter of weeks, Ronald Moffit, who died in 2019, said in hissworn affidavit. 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. 1:04. She previously worked as an assistant prosecutor in the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. From beginning to end, the problem is you.. After practicing law as a partner at a large law firm for 10 years, Matthew opened his own law practice in 2005, DePerno Law, PLLC. "And I have had people approach me across the state, and they've asked me, 'Where did that money go?'". If you cant abide by the laws and the rules, how do you have the moral authority to prosecute criminals?. DePerno had padded billings, claimed excessive write offs, manipulated the firms timekeeping system and logged hours with no explanation, according to the interoffice memo prepared by Kreis Enderle administrator Mike Beam. People get into disputes and they say things about each other in litigation, he told Bridge in a phone interview. The warrant was recalled when DePerno and The News reached a $20,000 settlement in May 2021. Ann Arbor Republican Matt DePerno, who's asking voters to make him Michigan's top law enforcement official on Nov. 8, faced a bench warrant for his arrest about two months before he launched his campaign for attorney general, according to court records. Could that Judge then rule on rape cases, or would that create a bias for the Judge? from the New York University School of Law. From beginning to end, the problem is you.. Civil rights issues are a main focus of Nessel's, and she founded the Fair Michigan Foundation. Matthew DePerno was born in Warren and raised in Troy, Michigan. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement. 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. 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. 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%. The ProAssurance Casualty Company alleged DePerno made unreasonable demands of attorneys they had hired to represent him in the Moffits malpractice suit. DePerno is willing to take on "the status quo of corruption," Carra said. The grievance commission can also privately admonish an attorney or place them on contractual probation, but those lighter punishments are not made public. The News asked DePerno and Nessel to release their most recent tax returns. DePerno has never been publicly disciplined by the state, according to records from the Attorney Discipline Board. Trump's choice for the post, Matthew DePerno, had all the . But he never did, the Moffits attorney alleged in the malpractice suit. Matt DePerno, a Republican candidate for Michigan attorney general, has appeared at Capitol rallies calling for a "forensic audit" of the 2020 presidential election. Whitmer" for her nursing home policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, called for increased transparency standards for state government and voiced opposition to abortion. And I continuously showed that throughout my career. Courser, who was accused of using House staff and resources to help cover up an extra-marital affair, ultimately pleaded no contest to a charge of willful neglect of duty by a public officer, a one-year misdemeanor. said DePerno's "skeletons have skeletons. 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. Some Michigan Republicans say they are . 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. 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. We're not just a news organization, we're also your neighbors. ", 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. Vote Furyk. You must be logged in to post a comment Matthew has published 21 legal reports based on his findings from the forensic audit. ", Karamo dismissed concerns about declining donations to the state party, saying thats going to change right away.. And hes 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 Michigan Advance was one of the outlets denied media credentials to cover . DePerno, who'd filed a lawsuit on behalf of a local resident claiming voting-machine fraud in Antrim County, more than 200 miles to the north, sent the clerk a subpoena demanding access to her. DePerno got his law degree at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 1994. 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. You can also contact us by using this form: First Name. After realizing there were problems with the numbers, Antrim County Clerk Sheryl Guy's office canvassed the election results and reported official numbers. I've always proven that I don't back down from anyone, he said. "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. Were good neighbors and were going to be winning elections again.. . The warrant was in place as DePerno led high-profile litigation in the weeks after the November 2020 presidential election to challenge the results in northern Michigan's Antrim County. 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. But Democrats have slammed his continued unproven claims about fraud in the 2020 election. 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. Ive taken on tough cases. All rights reserved. Who's in, out of race? ", While DePerno said he was conceding the race, he also said he would "refuse to concede that Michigan is a blue state. 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. Matthew DePerno (Attorney General) - $771,799. The sheriff's office this week didn't provide a response to questions about the warrant. He picked the fight and then billed them $130,000. DePerno, speaking with Bridge, called the assault allegation an "outrageous" attempt by the Moffits to avoid paying their legal bills. Thousands of Michigan Republican Party delegates participate in the convention as they considered who should be their new leader after suffering historic losses in the November 2022 election. 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 . DePerno skyrocketed to fame in conservative circles in the aftermath of the 2020 election, alleging voting machines were compromised because unofficial results were skewed toward President Joe Biden before they were corrected. DePerno faces incumbent Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel on Nov. 8. 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. They advanced to a second round before Karamo beat DePerno in the third and final vote. But some Republicans were concerned about DePerno's track record.