Case against Michigan Rep. Neil Friske goes to attorney general

• A months-long investigation into Charlevoix Rep. Neil Friske has been referred to the Michigan attorney general
• Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane says the referral was made due to  “potential crimes in multiple county jurisdictions” 
• Friske was arrested in Lansing early in the morning of June 20 on suspicion of sexual assault and other crimes, but later released without charges

LANSING — Ingham County has turned over its investigation into state Rep. Neil Friske, R-Charlevoix, to the state attorney general due to “potential crimes in multiple county jurisdictions,” the county’s prosecutor, John Dewane, said Tuesday.

“Given the statewide jurisdiction of the attorney general, I believe their office is best situated to handle the case at this point,” Dewane said in a statement.

Friske was arrested on the 2000 block of Windbreak Lane in Lansing before 3 a.m. June 20, according to the Lansing Police Department, near a property Friske owns.

Related:

• Michigan state Rep. Neil Friske arrested, jailed in Lansing
• State Rep. Neil Friske loses reelection bid
• Ex-House Speaker Lee Chatfield, wife plead not guilty to corruption charges

Lansing police spokesperson Jordan Gulkis previously said officers responded to “a report of a male with a gun, as well as possible shots that were fired.” Officers made contact and Friske was arrested for a possible “felony-level offense.”

After being held for a day without bond, Friske was released from jail without being charged with a crime.

According to state police records, Friske had been arrested on suspicion of committing sexual assault and felony assault, as well as a firearms offense.

Now that the case has been referred to the attorney general, the Lansing Police investigation is concluded, Gulkis said.

Friske has maintained his innocence and later said on a conservative northern Michigan radio show he had been “framed” but declined to get into specifics of the incident.

Friske is one of the most conservative members of the legislature. He belongs to the chamber’s Freedom Caucus, which is notable for voting against nearly every piece of legislation that comes before them in the Democratic-led Legislature.

In August, Friske lost his reelection bid for a second term to Republican primary challenger Parker Faribairn, but he will remain in office through the year.

Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, is in her second and final term in the office. Her department is also currently prosecuting former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield following accusations of financial improprieties.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday on a separate issue, Nessel said her office frequently offers to help local prosecutors investigating cases spanning multiple areas "because obviously, we have jurisdiction in all 83 counties that we're happy to assist."

"Apparently, after some pretty extensive investigation, that was the decision made by Prosecutor Dewane," she said, taking no further followup questions.

— Lauren Gibbons contributed