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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.
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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.
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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.
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February 05, 2026
LANSING – Yesterday, Stanley Butts, 58, of Detroit, was arraigned before Magistrate Judge Laura A. Echartea of the 36th District Court in Detroit for allegedly stealing multiple identities to fraudulently obtain more than $400,000 in unemployment benefits and rental assistance, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Butts has been charged with:
It is alleged that Butts used the personal information of at least 12 different individuals to fraudulently obtain more than $300,000 in fraudulent Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) benefits and more than $100,000 in COVID Emergency Rental Assistance payments from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). This matter was referred to the Department of Attorney General by UIA and MSHDA. In 2024, MSHDA and the Department of Attorney General entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to investigate and if appropriate prosecute cases of large-scale fraud.
“Assistance programs are intended to help people during difficult times, and not only did this individual allegedly siphon off hundreds of thousands from struggling Michiganders but did so by committing identity theft that harmed innocent victims,” said Attorney General Nessel. “I would like to thank UIA and MSHDA for referring this matter to my office. We remain committed to pursuing those who commit fraud and abuse taxpayer funds.”
“UIA is committed to administering the state’s unemployment insurance program with integrity while providing fast, fair, and fraud-free service,” said Jason Palmer, UIA Director. “We work closely with our state partners and law enforcement to aggressively investigate any threat to the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund so Michigan’s residents can be confident the benefits they are entitled to receive will be there when they need help after losing a job.”
“Identity theft and fraud undermine the integrity of critical support systems that families rely on in times of need,” said Amy Hovey, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. “MSHDA administered the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance program during the pandemic to help keep Michiganders safely housed, and we appreciate Attorney General Nessel’s continued work to hold accountable anyone who attempted to exploit those resources for personal gain.”
Butts was given a $200,000/10% bond and is scheduled to appear before the 36th District Court for a Probable Cause Conference on February 12, 2026. A Preliminary Examination is scheduled for February 19, 2026.
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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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