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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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October 30, 2026
LANSING — On Wednesday, in the 80th District Court in Harrison, Donovan Leonard, 34, of Cedar, was bound over to stand trial on felony charges of embezzlement, forgery, uttering and publishing, and failure to file taxes, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. The case was investigated by the Michigan Department of Attorney General, which then charged Leonard in August of this year.
In 2023, Leonard obtained power of attorney over an elderly man, with whom he’d been close for many years, who was at that time suffering from dementia. It is alleged that Leonard soon after sold off assets belonging to the man and took more than $100,000 from his bank accounts. Leonard allegedly created and filed with the probate court false receipts to justify the stolen sums.
“Power of attorney is a significant legal authority one person can grant to another in a time of need, but it is not a license to steal,” said Attorney General Nessel. “Vulnerable and elderly Michigan residents often must rely on a trusted relative or friend to help manage their finances or other affairs. When that trust and legal privilege is abused, my office will act to hold unscrupulous actors accountable.”
Leonard is charged with:
Leonard will next appear before Judge Tara S. Hovey in the 55th Circuit Court in Clare County.
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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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