The Michigan Department of Attorney General (DAG) works tirelessly to protect and serve the people of Michigan. The DAG handles a wide range of legal matters from civil and criminal cases, to providing legal counsel to state agencies and officers, to advocating for crime victims.
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 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 Conviction Integrity Unit (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.
Elder abuse happens when someone hurts, ignores, or takes advantage of an older adult. This may be someone who is of advanced age or is vulnerable and unable to protect themselves due to a mental or physical issues.
An expungement is a way to remove past offenses from your public record. Expansions under the “Clean Slate” laws include eligibility for up to three felonies and unlimited misdemeanors, excluding certain assault or weapons offenses and felonies that carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.
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.
Knowing how to guard your personal information is your first line of defense against identity theft.
Michigan workers enjoy a wide variety of legal protections regarding issues at work. There are a number of state and federal statutes that protect their wages, safety, and well-being.
Opioid addiction knows no social or economic barriers; it doesn’t care about race or gender. It claims young and old alike. The Michigan Department of Attorney General is committed to fighting this crisis.
Michigan Attorney General's robocall initiative is leading several efforts to protect Michigan residents from the billion plus robocalls made to them every year.
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq, provides that requesters can receive copies or make inspections of most public records of public bodies upon written request.
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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October 09, 2025
LANSING – Yesterday, Bernice Marie Pate, 51, of Inkster, was arraigned in the 54B District Court in East Lansing for allegedly exploiting a Medicaid transportation program, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Pate has been charged with 10 counts of Medicaid Fraud – False Claim, each a 4-year felony. Earlier this week, Wanda Rose Spivey, 55, of Taylor, and Ashley Eliza Mendoza, 34, of Detroit, were arraigned in the 54B District Court for allegedly defrauding the same program. Spivey and Mendoza each face 5 counts of Medicaid Fraud – False Claim.
The Michigan Medicaid program will provide mileage reimbursement to enrolled beneficiaries when they travel to eligible medical appointments. In some cases, a smartphone app is made available to track mileage to these appointments using the built-in GPS of the phone. When a trip is complete, the reimbursement payment is added to a payment card mailed to the beneficiary when they register for this program. The card can then be used like any debit card.
It is alleged the defendants participated in a scheme where another app was used to effectively trick a phone into thinking it was someplace it was not and submitted reimbursement requests for trips that never took place. This matter was referred to the Department of Attorney General by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (DHHS-OIG).
“Taking advantage of a program designed to help those in need get to necessary medical services is deplorable,” said Nessel. “I commend the DHHS Office of Inspector General for their work on this case. This remains an active investigation, and my office is committed to holding those who engaged in this conduct accountable.”
Spivey and Mendoza were arraigned on October 6, 2025, before Judge Molly Hennessey Greenwalt. Pate was arraigned on October 8, 2025, also before Judge Greenwalt. They were all granted a $50,000.00 personal recognizance bond and are next due to appear in court on October 17, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. for a Probable Cause Conference followed by a Preliminary Examination on October 23, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
The Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Division (HCFD) handled this case for the Department. The HCFD is the federally certified Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for Michigan and it receives 75% of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $5,517,524.00 for the fiscal year 2026. The remaining 25% percent, totaling $1,839,170.00, is funded by the State of Michigan.
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Please note: For all criminal proceedings, a criminal charge is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Department does not provide booking photos.
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