Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is under growing criticism from statehouse Republicans over alleged ethics violations connected to two separate investigations involving her personal associates.
Lawmakers allege Nessel bypassed internal safeguards designed to prevent conflicts of interest, raising questions about her impartiality in handling cases as the state’s top law enforcement official.
The controversy revolves around two distinct matters.
The first concerned Nessel’s romantic partner, Alanna Maguire, who co-chaired Fair and Equal Michigan, a ballot initiative promoting anti-discrimination measures.
The second involved Traci Kornak, a former treasurer of the Michigan Democratic Party and member of Nessel’s transition team, who faced allegations of financial misconduct.
Republicans contend that Nessel’s personal connections created conflicts requiring her avoidance.
House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay Township) stated that Nessel violated ethical guidelines in both instances.
“There has definitely—definitely—at minimum been a clear ethics violation by Attorney General Dana Nessel. In fact twice—in two cases that specifically involve individuals that she has a close personal relationship with,” he said.
DeBoyer emphasized that firewalls intended to maintain independence were reportedly breached, allowing Nessel to influence the handling of the inquiries.
In the Kornak case, allegations included improper billing on behalf of an elderly ward.
While Nessel’s office maintains that the matter concluded without ethical breaches, emails indicate she communicated directly with Kornak after the isolation wall was in place.
In December 2022, Nessel wrote to staff, noting Kornak needed to supply information “by the week’s end,” Just the News reports.
The Fair and Equal Michigan case stemmed from a referral by the Secretary of State alleging that Bipartisan Solutions, which supported the initiative co-chaired by Nessel’s romantic partner, may have improperly funneled funds.
Nessel’s office declined to pursue criminal charges, opting for an internal review before returning the matter to the Secretary of State.
Nessel’s spokesperson, Kimberly Bush, denied wrongdoing, asserting that the attorney general “never influenced these investigative or prosecutorial efforts over which isolation walls were in place” and did not violate professional standards.
The Michigan House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed additional unredacted documents to further examine the cases.
Committee member Rep. Jason Woolford also moved to hold Nessel in contempt for allegedly failing to comply with prior subpoenas. The committee voted 10-6 to recommend a contempt action to the full House.
DeBoyer indicated that impeachment remains a potential outcome if further review confirms the alleged violations.
“This is a clear behavior multiple times, multiple cases, that the most powerful law enforcement officer in the state of Michigan has stepped around a firewall, whether intentional or not, to benefit individuals that they have a close personal relationship with. That’s a problem,” he said, according to MZZM 13.
Nessel, a two-term attorney general who has not ruled out a run for higher office, continues to deny any ethical or legal violations.
The investigations remain ongoing as the legislature seeks to determine whether disciplinary or legal action is warranted.
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