Attorney General Dana Nessel has repeatedly called for greater government transparency. But in high-profile criminal cases in her own office she has successfully fought to keep records on government searches hidden, even after they are introduced in court.
Dave Boucher
A guest author for Bridge Magazine.
Judge sides with Dana Nessel, keeps secret Lee Chatfield warrants
Bridge Michigan, Free Press fighting to make public search warrants in ongoing investigation; a judge rules that Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office doesn’t need to provide clarity over when that might happen.
Feds assisting probe of former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield
A lawyer from Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office told a judge that ‘federal agencies’ are now helping the state investigate Chatfield, who has denied accusations of sexual assault and financial wrongdoing.
Bridge, Free Press seek court hearing to open Chatfield records to public
Bridge Michigan and the Detroit Free Press are asking a judge to reconsider an order that indefinitely blocks public access to records in the criminal probe of former House Speaker Lee Chatfield.
Dana Nessel obtains blanket shield of Lee Chatfield investigation records
After Bridge Michigan and the Detroit Free Press won access to documents that would shed new light on the criminal investigation against the former house speaker, Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office obtained a court order blocking release of virtually all records in the case.