Overview

• A Republican-led House Oversight Subcommittee heard defense attorneys accuse Attorney General Dana Nessel of partisan overreach and call the case a calculated political strike.
• Lansing District Judge Kristen Simmons dismissed the felony charges last week, ruling there was no probable cause, no intent to defraud, and that the conduct fell under First Amendment petitioning.
• Nessel said her office is reviewing a potential appeal and argued the evidence remains strong, noting no judge or jury has issued a not-guilty verdict.
• Defense counsel maintained the signed certificates were placeholders with no legal effect and cited historical precedent to argue the signers believed their actions were lawful.
• Attorney Nicholas Somberg and committee chair Angela Rigas said they will file FOIA requests to determine the prosecution’s cost as Republicans pursue oversight of the case.