The Michigan Attorney General has determined that a full and complete investigation of what happened within the Catholic Church is required. This investigation is and will continue to be independent, thorough, transparent, and prompt. My department and this investigation will find out who knew what, and when.
The Michigan Department of Attorney General utilizes the services of Special Assistant Attorneys General from time to time when the unique circumstances of a particular case create the need for specialized services not currently available within the department.
The Conviction Integrity Unit (the “CIU”) investigates claims of innocence to determine whether there is clear and convincing new evidence that the convicted defendant was not the person who committed the offense.
In Michigan, a victim is an individual who suffers direct or threatened physical, financial, or emotional harm as a result of the commission of a crime.
The Task Force launched in 2019 and consists of more than 55 different organizations in the public, private and nonprofit sectors - all working together to combat elder abuse.
The laws regarding expungement of criminal offenses in Michigan changed in major ways in April of 2021. This page is designed to help applicants navigate their way through the new laws, help them determine if they are eligible to have convictions expunged, to answer frequently asked questions about the new laws, and to provide links for resources and assistance.
To investigate and prosecute hate crimes by following up on every credible tip and offer departmental resources to assist local and federal law enforcement partners in this effort.
The Michigan Attorney General is leading the fight against this horrific crime by prosecuting the state's first-ever criminal cases under state law banning human trafficking in Michigan. Victims of human trafficking are in bondage through force, fraud or coercion, for the purpose of sex or labor exploitation.
Michigan Identity Theft Support
Michigan Attorney General's robocall initiative is leading several efforts to protect Michigan residents from the billion plus robocalls made to them every year.
The Open Meetings Act (OMA) took effect January 1, 1977. In enacting the OMA, the Legislature promoted a new era in governmental accountability and fostered openness in government to enhance responsible decision making.1 Nothing in the OMA prohibits a public body from adopting an ordinance, resolution, rule, or charter provision that requires a greater degree of openness relative to public body meetings than the standards provided for in the OMA. 2
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April 29, 2020
LANSING – In an effort to protect consumers from price-gouging in the digital world, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced today that her office has sent cease and desist letters to three online sellers for price-gouging and finalized an agreement with a fourth seller who forfeited profits and agreed not to engage in the unlawful business practice any longer.
The Attorney General’s office on Tuesday sent cease and desist letters to three Michigan-based, online storefronts conducting business through Amazon under the usernames: CollectiblesJi, SmartHome Distribution, and Warehouse Bricks. The sellers are based in Berrien Springs, Portage and Walker, respectively.
These sellers significantly increased the prices of products like face masks and hand sanitizer, both of which are highly sought by consumers during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
“Unfortunately, greed and fear have been two constants during this medical crisis,” Nessel said. “As consumers fear the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, they are falling victim to price-gouging and predatory business practices by individuals and companies looking to profit off that collective anxiety. I encourage consumers to continue filing complaints of price-gouging with my office so that my Consumer Protection team can investigate where appropriate and hold accountable those who think a public emergency is a free pass for unlawful profiteering.”
The Attorney General’s office alleges these third-party sellers on Amazon violated the MCPA by charging the consumer a price that is grossly in excess of the price at which similar property or services are sold, and causing coercion and duress as the result of the time and nature of a sales presentation. Some examples of those violations include:
The sellers have 10 days to respond to the Attorney General’s office, otherwise additional action could include the launch of a formal investigation through court subpoenas. The sellers could also agree to an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (AVC), which is a tool provided for in the MCPA that allows for the resolution of a violation without litigation.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s office recently signed an AVC with an individual selling high-priced face masks online through eBay. The Hillsdale, Michigan, individual received a cease and desist letter from the Attorney General’s office in early March, and later said that he made more than $6,000 in profit by purchasing face masks primarily from another eBay retailer and reselling them to other consumers.
As part of this AVC agreement, the seller has paid the Attorney General’s office $6,000 for investigation costs and $100 to the victim who provided the office with information.
The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection team has been receiving a high volume of price-gouging complaints since early March as the state began seeing the appearance of COVID-19 cases. To date, there have been a total of 3,689 price-gouging complaints.
Consumers can file a complaint online or by calling the Consumer Protection tip line, 877-765-8388. Hours of operation are between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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