Scam targeting attorneys reported in Michigan
A scammer claiming to have been referred “by the Bar Referral Services” has contacted at least one Michigan attorney recently. This is a scam and is not affiliated with the State Bar of Michigan’s Lawyer Referral Service (LRS).
The State Bar of Michigan directly notifies attorneys participating in the Lawyer Referral Service about potential client matches, and attorneys have to be LRS panel members before they would receive a referral.
Attorneys should treat emails from anyone claiming to have been referred by the State Bar as suspicious.
Michigan State Police recommend that attorneys who have been targeted in a scam contact the Michigan Cyber Command Center at MC3@michigan.gov.
Any attorney who has been targeted in a scam that other Michigan attorneys should know about should email hello@michbar.org after alerting authorities.
Republicans have spent $542K to challenge Whitmer’s orders
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Republicans who control the Michigan Legislature have spent about $542,000 to sue Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer over her use of emergency powers during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Senate and House released the figure to a liberal advocacy group, Progress Michigan, late last week on the same day the state Supreme Court ruled against the governor in a lawsuit that was similar to the Legislature’s, which is still pending. The Whitmer administration has quickly reinstituted a mask requirement and size limits on gatherings under a public health law that is not an issue in the legal challenges.
The $542,000 in public money, split evenly between the House and Senate, has been used to pay attorneys at Bush Seyferth, a Troy-based law firm.
GOP lawmakers have long criticized Whitmer’s handling of the outbreak, though the public has backed her in polling. Republicans contend that she should have eased a lockdown earlier and that they should have a say in orders underlying her declaration of an emergency.
In a 4-3 decision, the high court declared unconstitutional a 1945 law that underpins her executive orders and ruled 7-0 that she needed legislative approval to extend the emergency and orders beyond April 30.
“Since this pandemic started, the Republicans really have focused more time, energy and taxpayer dollars on fighting against public health protections than they have working to protect the people of Michigan,” said Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan.
Messages seeking comment, including additional details on the payments and the contract process, were left with spokespeople for GOP legislative leaders.
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