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.
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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.
The Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) reviews cases where someone is saying they did not commit the crime(s) of which they were convicted. There must be new evidence that shows they did not commit the crime. This new evidence must rise to the legal standard of "clear and convincing" evidence of innocence.
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.
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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.
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August 12, 2026
LANSING – Yesterday, Caesar Cooper, 25, of Detroit, was sentenced to 5-20 years’ incarceration after pleading guilty in June to one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise for his role in a prolific auto theft ring, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Cooper was sentenced by the Honorable Cheryl A. Matthews in the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County.
Originally charged in November 2025 with one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise and two counts of Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property - Motor Vehicle, Cooper was responsible for numerous auto thefts across Metro Detroit from 2023 to 2025. Stolen vehicles included a 2023 Lincoln Navigator, Maserati Levante, 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2023 Cadillac Escalade, and a 2023 Dodge Durango.
The Attorney General first announced the investigation into the auto theft ring in May 2024. The Troy Police Department, investigating this crime ring since August 2023, partnered with the FORCE Team in early 2024 to bring down this expansive criminal organization. The criminal ring targeted new vehicle storage lots at manufacturing facilities, car dealerships, parking lots, and individual residences. The investigation has been aided by the efforts of local police agencies, including the municipal police departments of Auburn Hills, Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Canton, Dearborn, Detroit, Eastpointe, Farmington Hills, Lansing, Livonia, Novi, Roseville, Royal Oak, Southfield, Sterling Heights, Walled Lake, and Warren, as well as the Oakland County Auto Theft Group and the Macomb County Auto Theft Unit.
Since 2024, 15 defendants have been sentenced for their role in the criminal network.
“Working alongside the Troy Police Department and law enforcement across Metro Detroit, the FORCE Team has been able to hold more than a dozen individuals accountable for their roles in dangerous auto thefts,” said Attorney General Nessel. “Their dedicated work over the past few years has undoubtedly made our communities safer, and we remain committed to dismantling this prolific criminal network.”
The FORCE Team was established in January 2023 by the Attorney General to target criminal organizations that steal products from retailers to repackage and sell for a profit. Two assistant attorneys general serve the unit full time, working with special agents within the Department of Attorney General and Michigan State Police detectives to investigate and prosecute these crimes. The FORCE team also partners with the FBI’s Detroit Fraud and Financial Crimes Task Force and the Postal Inspection Service. This is a first-in-the-nation unit, unique in the 50 states as being the first such unit with embedded, dedicated staff from the Department of Attorney General.
The FORCE Team is dedicated to working collaboratively with retailers and local law enforcement agencies to combat organized retail crime. FORCE is an acronym that stands for Focused Organized Retail Crime Enforcement. Recent corporate partners on investigations have included Sam’s Club/Walmart, Meijer, Target, Home Depot, TJ Maxx, Rite-Aid, Lululemon, Ulta Beauty, Amazon, and Lowe’s.
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