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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.
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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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April 01, 2026
LANSING – Douglas Environmental and its president, Brian Powell, 57, of Brighton, were arraigned on March 30 in the 53rd District Court in Howell for allegedly falsifying water safety and water discharge tests for private water systems serving mobile home communities across the state, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Douglas Environmental has been charged with one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, a 20-year felony, and six counts of Forgery, each a 14-year felony. Powell has been charged with six counts of Forgery and seven counts of Safe Drinking Water Violations, each a 1-year misdemeanor punishable by a $5,000 fine per day of violation.
Douglas Environmental provided private water services to mobile home communities throughout Michigan. Private water service providers are required to submit regular water testing to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). If contaminant levels exceed maximum contaminant levels set by statute and administrative rule, providers are required to immediately notify EGLE. Powell was allegedly solely responsible for reporting Douglas Environmental test results to EGLE.
On at least six occasions in 2023, Douglas Environmental by and through Powell allegedly falsified water test results in water systems serving Moon Lake Mobile Home Park in Shiawassee County, Thornapple Lake Estates in Barry County, and Fenton Harbor Condominiums in Genesee County. Powell is further accused of failing to report water tests that exceeded maximum contaminant levels between 2020 and 2023 at Hickory Hills Mobile Homes in Calhoun County, Green Brook Estates in Livingston County, North Bay Mobile Home Park in Genesee County, Fenton Harbor in Genesee County, Victory Gardens in Genesee County, and Western Pines in Kalamazoo County.
The investigation was conducted by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division and the Environmental Crime Unit following an EGLE administrative review that found alleged data discrepancies between what was reported and what they had received from Douglas Environmental. Based on testing by EGLE, the public was not harmed in this alleged scheme.
“Safe drinking water relies on honest testing,” said Attorney General Nessel. “Falsifying reports jeopardizes the well-being of residents, and I am grateful for EGLE’s and DNR’s work to uncover and investigate these extremely troubling allegations. My office will continue to prosecute those who put Michiganders’ health at risk.”
“Ensuring the safety of Michigan’s drinking water is fundamental to protecting public health, and that starts with accurate, reliable data,” said EGLE Director Phil Roos. “It’s deeply disappointing when individuals choose to falsify test results, they undermine the trust that communities place in the systems designed to safeguard them. Michigan residents deserve complete confidence that the water they rely on is safe.”
Powell will next appear in the 55th District Court on May 5 before Judge Daniel B. Bain.
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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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