HARTFORD
Boy goes to White House for anti-bullying video
HARTFORD, Mich. (AP) — A southwestern Michigan boy’s online video in which he stood up to cyberbullies has earned him messages from prominent figures, appearances on news stations and now a private tour of the White House.
Logan Fairbanks of Hartford, 11, and his family received the invitation from White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett, who set up the visit to highlight the issue of bullying and encourage others who are trying to stop bullies, she told WOOD-TV.
“I think part of the reason why what Logan did resonated so well is he could turn the tables and he, in a sense, said to the bully, ‘You’re not going to hurt me, but let me let you hear your words right back so you can imagine how you might feel if those words were directed at you,’” Jarrett said.
On Tuesday, Logan was able to see firsthand where President Barack Obama makes televised speeches and important phone calls.
“I went in the Oval room, and got to sit in the president’s chair,” he said. “I was kind of shocked that I was sitting in the chair at this age. And then there’s a doggy door at the bottom of his desk, and I got to peek out of it.”
He and his family also got to take in other sights around Washington, D.C., and they plan to meet with U.S. Rep. Fred Upton of St. Joseph on Wednesday.
Logan gained national attention earlier this month by confronting cyberbullies who posted hurtful comments on YouTube videos he and his father made. The video, which was posted on July 7, has nearly 1 million views on the popular video-sharing website.
“I want to make a stand not only for people that are being bullied, but I want to also help bullies not bully anymore,” Logan said on Tuesday.
Since posting his video, Logan has been interviewed about 20 times by different news organizations, including CNN and the Boris and Nicole Show, the Kalamazoo Gazette reported.
Logan and his father, Josh, also plan to start a nonprofit organization, called Take the Power, to empower victims of cyberbullying, hate speech and other forms of hurtful language.
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WEST BRANCH
Physical therapist charged in sexual assault with teen
WEST BRANCH, Mich. (AP) — A West Branch physical therapist has been charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a teenager.
Vijay Kumar was arraigned Tuesday in Ogemaw County District Court and released on bond.
WPBN-TV reports that court records show the charge involves a girl older than 13 and younger than 16.
Ogemaw County Prosecutor LaDonna Schultz also says five area physical therapy clinics owned by Kumar are part of a fraud investigation.
West Branch is in Michigan’s northeastern Lower Peninsula.
The Associated Press left a message Thursday seeking comment from Kumar.
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LANSING
Department of Civil Rights leader to leave post
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The executive director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights plans to leave his post when his contract ends in October.
Leslee Fritz, deputy director of the Department of Civil Rights, tells The Associated Press on Thursday that Matt Wesaw informed the Michigan Civil Rights Commission of his decision on Monday during a private session. The commission will select his successor.
Wesaw’s plans were reported Wednesday by Crain’s Detroit Business.
Wesaw, a former state trooper and a Native American tribal leader, has been executive director since October 2013, when he became the first Indian to lead the state Department of Civil Rights.
The civil rights agency is responsible for civil rights complaint investigations as well as outreach efforts and educational programs to promote voluntary compliance with civil rights laws.
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EAST LANSING
Police: Ex-official used public funds to pay psychic
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The former head of a Calhoun County mental health organization is accused of giving $510,000 in public funds to a psychic palm reader in Florida under the guise of health care consulting.
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette’s office said in a news release that 68-year-old Ervin Brinker was arraigned Wednesday on charges of Medicaid fraud conspiracy and embezzlement by a public official.
Brinker was fired in February as CEO of Summit Pointe, which is a mental health organization in Battle Creek established by Calhoun County.
Summit Point board chair Trae Allman said in a statement that it contacted “appropriate authorities” after learning of spending irregularities.
Matthew Vicari, an attorney for Brinker, says the defense has worked “for some months now” with the attorney general’s office.
The Associated Press couldn’t reach Brinker because he has no listed phone number.
