Matt DePerno announces bid for Michigan Republican Party chair "Incredibly, the appeals court noted, DePerno made the following analogy: lets assume a Judge was raped. Confused, concerned and ultimately outraged that DePerno was charging them nearly $140,000 after losing them $13,000, Ronald Moffit said he confronted DePerno over the legal bill, which led to what the couples attorney would later call battery and assault by DePerno. He went on to earn a graduate qualification at theNew York University School of Law. He cut his teeth as a tax attorney in southwest Michigan but eventually expanded his Portage-based practice. Paid for with regulated funds by End Citizens United Non-Federal MI. The warrant was in place as DePerno led high-profile litigation in the weeks after the November 2020 presidential election to challenge the results in northern Michigan's Antrim County. Instead, DePerno filed a counter-claim against the insurance company without the knowledge or consent of his clients, which prompted the insurer to stop its initial payment. Lansing Republican Matt DePerno's embrace of former President Donald Trump's unproven election fraud claims moved the Kalamazoo trial lawyer from political obscurity to the front lines. Karamo lost to Benson by 14 percentage points. Guy's office sent the official numbers to the Bureau of Elections at 6:35 a.m. on Nov. 7, 2020. If you care about Michigan, please support our work. When Courser and DePerno sued The Detroit News over its original reporting on the sex scandal, Washtenaw County Circuit Judge Timothy Connors dismissed the case and ordered Courser and DePerno to jointly pay $79,701.63 in sanctions. The Oak Park educator and conservative activist will take the reins months after the Michigan GOP in November lost long-held majorities in the House and Senate and lost races seeking to oust the incumbent Democratic governor, secretary of state and attorney general. He will have a staff of more than 500 people, and his . Heres what the laws are now, Michigan State shooting update: 2 more students released from hospital, Michigan has far more power outages this week than other Midwest states, Michigan outraged toxic waste from Ohio derailment shipped to Belleville, MSU shooting: fourth victim identified, discharged from hospital, Michigan lawmakers send Whitmer tax cuts; $180 payments are dead, Michigans lousy infrastructure has many begging: Fix the damn noisy roads, Michigan State shooting: Alerts to students delayed as police rushed to campus, Where Michigan attorney general foes Dana Nessel and Matthew DePerno stand, Dana Nessel: What to know about Michigan Democratic attorney general, Matt DePerno banks on Trump bump in Republican race for attorney general, Firm: Michigan AG hopefulDePerno fired over padded, false billings, DePerno, others linked to vote machine tampering case headed to special prosecutor, Matthew DePerno: Dana Nessels election probe worthy of Saddam Hussein. People get into disputes and they say things about each other in litigation, he told Bridge in a phone interview. And I continuously showed that throughout my career. DePerno took on "several cases regarding the unconstitutional nature of these lockdowns and mandates.". I think hed be the best to try to unify everybody," Kallman said. Published reports say Nessel's office is asking that a special prosecutor investigate whether the Republican candidate for state attorney general, Matt DePerno, and others should be charged in . In order to win the chair position, a candidate had to receive more than 50% support. That happens all the time, and then things are resolved.. Thus began another unexpected legal fight, as the Moffits hired a new attorney to stop the foreclosure sale and sue DePerno for legal malpractice, alleging he fought their insurer without their consent, overbilled and padded billings, including a $13,000 charge to reassemble their case file after DePerno parted ways with his law firm at the time, Veritas Group. Nessel defeated Republican former House Speaker Tom Leonard that year by 3 points. The guys got no ethics at all, William Buhl, a retired Van Buren County Circuit Court judge and former Republican, told Bridge. The initial tallies in the Republican stronghold had Democrat Joe Biden winning by 3,260 votes with 62% of the overall total to Trump's 36%. On February 20, 2014, Mr. DePerno physically grabbed (me) by the shirt and informed me that if I did not immediately pay the attorney fees owed that my wife and I would lose our home in a matter of weeks, Ronald Moffit, who died in 2019, said in hissworn affidavit. For the 53-year-old attorney's detractors, he's a threat to democracy with a questionable professional record that includes an ongoing state criminal investigation into a scheme to access voting tabulators. "Matthew DePerno showed up the day after the election, using our president's name, taking nearly $400,000 from every one of you," Leonard said during a debate in Oakland County. Matthew S. DePerno, Esq. Especially if the Judge has expressed a dislike for rapists., Kent County Circuit Court Judge Donald A. Johnston, who presided over the disqualification hearing, denied DePernos request to remove Dodge, and noted that, I dont know of any judges that have ever expressed a like for rapists.. And the GOP-controlled Michigan Senate Oversight Committee accused DePerno of spreading "misleading information and illogical conclusions.". ", We're not just a news organization, we're also your neighbors. Matthew DePerno for Michigan (@deperno4mi) / Twitter 1:04. Karamo's election as state party chair marks the first time in state history that both the Michigan Republican and Democratic parties are chaired by Black women. Searching for a (workable) two-party system - GulfToday DePerno told the Lansing publication Gongwer News Service that he had spoken with a sheriff who said his agency wasn't going to enforce the warrant and it became a "nonissue.". And in a new sign of former President Donald Trump's diminishing influence, the women beat the Trump-endorsed ticket of Matt DePerno and Garrett Soldano to replace MAGA loyalist Meshawn Maddock and establishment fundraiser Ron Weiser. The Protect the People political action committee called him a "corrupt lawyer" in one of its ads in recent days. People need to see a competent party, Karamo said. But some Republicans were concerned about DePerno's track record. DePerno had represented an older couple Ronald and Cathleen Moffit whose home burned down in 2011. Connors agreed on July 2. 2023 Bridge Michigan. While Nessel might be vulnerable, there remain questions two weeks before Election Day over whether DePerno was the right person to beat her and become the state's top law enforcement official. @mdeperno. DePerno wins GOP attorney general race after runoff; Karamo wins SOS Aug. 15:Report: Trump allies sought election data in Antrim, Wayne countiesApril 23:Michigan GOP endorses Trump favorites DePerno, Karamo at conventionApril 21:DePerno loses another bid for Antrim County audit as court dismisses appealApril 12:Trump favorite Matt DePerno back in court, seeks another Antrim County audit. DePerno was fired from one law firm, fought over client records after leaving a second firm and was accused of assaulting a client amid a fee dispute, according to court documents and transcripts reviewed by Bridge. Trump's backing helped DePerno win a three-way race at an April convention for the party's attorney general nomination. He argued Michigan needed "the guidance of a fighter. Glaser of Cass County, Michael Farage of Grand Rapids Scott Aughney of Jackson County, Kent Boersma of Muskegon County and Drew Born of Kent County. According to unofficial results, Nessel leads DePerno by 300,000 votes - about 7 points. As DePerno worked on the 2020 election, his law office's website linked to a fundraising page that brought in nearly $400,000. He went on to repeatedly appear in Antrim County court to challenge the November 2020 election results while the warrant was in place. In 1994, he received his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and the following year his Masters in Taxation Law (LL.M.) Greene once tweeted that DePerno would be an "unmitigated disaster." Matt DePerno, a Republican candidate for Michigan attorney general, has appeared at Capitol rallies calling for a forensic audit of the 2020 presidential election. Two attorneys quit, saying they could not represent DePerno without violating the canons of ethics. So DePerno represented himself, an unorthodox move the liability insurer asked a court to stop before also agreeing to a settlement with DePerno. I'll continue to write good people in on my election ballots. But he never did, the Moffits attorney alleged in the malpractice suit. They need to see a party actually advocating for the values we espouse. For months, Matthew has tried to take his findings to the Michigan Legislature, asking for their support in demanding a Statewide full forensic audit, to no avail. The billing allegations could be a disqualifying factor for DePerno as a candidate, said John Truscott, a Republican public relations professional who served as press secretary under former Gov. DePerno is well-known and well-liked by many clients, but his legal career has been marked by some discord. Ann Arbor Republican Matt DePerno, who's asking voters to make him Michigan's top law enforcement official on Nov. 8, faced a bench warrant for his arrest about two months before he. Matthew has been attacked many times from elected officials, including current Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, but he has not backed down. Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for "for all the damage they have done" in office. Vote Karamo. Election Integrity Based. New York University School of Law Master of Laws (LL.M.) Another factor in his decision to run: Trump, who in July encouraged him to enter the race. Lansing Republican Matt DePerno's embrace of former President Donald Trump's unproven election fraud claims moved the Kalamazoo trial lawyer from political obscurity to the front lines. Before the November election, she unsuccessfully sued and asked a judge to require residents of Detroit, Michigan's largest city, to vote in person or obtain their ballots in person at the clerk's office. The nomination wont be official until a separate August convention, but the early endorsement will allow a candidate to raise funds and campaign as the presumed nominee. Matt DePerno: Liar, Liar Pants on Fire - Michigan Democratic Party Far-right election denier beats Trump's pick for Michigan GOP And he's not afraid of what has turned into, unfortunately, a convoluted judicial system., Bill Bailey, a real estate broker who DePerno is representing in the ongoing Antrim County election appeal, called him "one of the most honest, hardworking souls I truthfully have ever met.". But court records show judges have repeatedly sanctioned or complained about his courtroom conduct. Now calling himself a constitutional attorney, DePerno told Bridge his favorite cases are those that involve constitutional rights people who have arguments that they've lost their rights because of government overreach.. Anthony DePerno, 21, is majoring in Supply Chain Management at MSU and is expected to graduate this Spring, 2022. Nov 2. Matthew DePerno: What to know about Michigan GOP attorney general Two attorneys quit, saying they could not represent DePerno without violating the canons of ethics. So DePerno represented himself, an unorthodox move the liability insurer asked a court to stop before also agreeing to a settlement with DePerno. The Michigan Court of Appeals ultimately upheld the decision to allow Dodge to remain a judge. DePerno has begun to pivot to other issues during the general election campaign, but a special prosecutor is investigating him and others on allegations they illegally accessed voting machine equipment in their efforts to investigate the election. It just screams out: This is why people hate lawyers. We dont need this in our profession.. DePerno received a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, a J.D. Trump-backed GOP pick for Michigan AG has been a vocal supporter of Maddock and Weiser had formed a tenuous alliance leading Michigan Republicans for the last two years. "The Republican Party is now pretty well cemented as the party of election denying, conspiracy theories, tin hats and supporting Capitol riots," Miller said. A lawyer by trade, DePerno rose to political prominence challenging the 2020 presidential election results and spearheading a lawsuit over the vote in northern Michigan's Antrim County. Firm: Michigan AG hopeful Matt DePerno fired over 'padded,' false Forton said his decision was meant to ensure that a "grassroots-type" hopeful had a chance to win. Matt DePerno has earned the endorsement of the Michigan Republican Party to take on incumbent Democrat Dana Nessel in November. . She has repeatedly made unproven and false claims about Michigan's voting system. A year later, with the fire reimbursement case seemingly resolved, DePerno presented the Moffits with a $109,879 check from their insurer $13,421 less than the original payment offered three years prior and a $137,779.38 bill for his legal services, according to the malpractice lawsuit. The News asked DePerno and Nessel to release their most recent tax returns. He has a wife and three children. Matt DePerno concedes Michigan AG race to Dana Nessel That happens all the time, and then things are resolved.. Buhl, the former judge, had already been retired for six years when he began observing DePernos legal work because he was asked to serve as an expert witness in the Moffits malpractice suit. On Saturday morning, Macomb County Republican Chairman Mark Forton dropped out of the state chair race, leaving nine remaining candidates. "And I have had people approach me across the state, and they've asked me, 'Where did that money go?'". He's challenging Democrat Attorney General Dana Nessel, a lawyer from Plymouth, who has under-performed Democratic Gov. In a related case, involving a malpractice claim against DePerno, he argued the Kreis Enderle firm invented a claim of misconduct to deny him state unemployment benefits. Not authorized by any candidate. Courser, who was accused of using House staff and resources to help cover up an extra-marital affair, ultimately pleaded no contest to a charge of willful neglect of duty by a public officer, a one-year misdemeanor. Nessel campaign spokeswoman Sarah Stevenson said the incumbent would provide hers if DePerno provided his. Gretchen Whitmer also won another term with Democrats taking control of the Legislature for the first time in 40 years. But Greene's organization changed course and endorsed DePerno earlier this month. Ive taken on tough cases. Matthew DePerno - Ballotpedia Maddock called DePerno and Secretary of State hopeful Kristina Karamo the "strongest candidates" to address "the stolen 2020 election" and push for a "forensic audit" of the states voting in that contest. Kallman declined to detail the issues. Matt DePerno, an attorney general candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump, sued the firm over his firing and denied the allegations in court. DePerno is well-known and well-liked by many clients, but his legal career has been marked by some discord. from New York University School of Law. People have to see something worth investing in," she said, "and the party hasnt proven itself to be such.. Ive taken on cases that people even in the media have disagreed with.. Heres what the laws are now, Michigan State shooting update: 2 more students released from hospital, Michigan has far more power outages this week than other Midwest states, Michigan outraged toxic waste from Ohio derailment shipped to Belleville, MSU shooting: fourth victim identified, discharged from hospital, Michigan lawmakers send Whitmer tax cuts; $180 payments are dead, Michigans lousy infrastructure has many begging: Fix the damn noisy roads, Michigan State shooting: Alerts to students delayed as police rushed to campus, Report: Trump allies sought election data in Antrim, Wayne counties, Michigan GOP endorses Trump favorites DePerno, Karamo at convention, DePerno loses another bid for Antrim County audit as court dismisses appeal, Trump favorite Matt DePerno back in court, seeks another Antrim County audit, Trump fundraises for Karamo, but Michigan Democrats dominate money race, Michigan township braces for Trump rally: we dont have another option, Michigan AG hopeful Tom Leonards fundraising draws fairness concerns, Matt DePerno banks on Trump bump in Republican race for attorney general, Michigan AG candidate Matt DePerno gets his moment at Trumps Mar-A-Lago. While the case was ultimately settled, what he saw in pre-trial hearings was abhorrent, Buhl told Bridge Michigan. In at least one instance, DePerno admitted that he falsified billing to a clients account, the law firms attorney said in a court filing. Democrat Attorney General Dana Nessel, a lawyer from Plymouth, Before Matt DePerno launched a bid for attorney general, he cleared up an arrest warrant, As Michigan AG race narrows, Nessel's comments, cases take center stage. He alleged oppression of a minority shareholder and said his termination caused extreme mental anguish, emotional distress, shock and humiliation.. Were good neighbors and were going to be winning elections again.. ", More:Matt DePerno's rapid rise in GOP politics mired in controversy, lawsuits. DePerno, speaking with Bridge, called the assault allegation an "outrageous" attempt by the Moffits to avoid paying their legal bills. In at least one instance, DePerno admitted that he falsified billing to a clients account, the law firms attorney said in a court filing. Instead, the Oversight Committee urged Nesselto investigate those who have been utilizing misleading and false information about Antrim County to raise money or publicity for their own ends.. Matthew DePerno (Attorney General) - $771,799. DePerno also transferred "his interest in the marital home" to his wife's trust for $1, according to the lawyers for The News. The Antrim County case made DePerno a national figure in Trumps campaign to overturn the election but prompted criticism from a Republican-led Michigan Senate panel that accused him ofmaking false claimsfor personal profit, echoing allegations that marred DePernos legal career nearly two decades earlier. The probe is completely ridiculous and part of the reason DePerno decided to run for attorney general, he told Bridge, likening it "totalitarianism" since Nessel's office battled him as opposing counsel in the Antrim County case. "I'll pass. Leave us a message. While the Kries Enderle law firm and DePerno both declined to discuss his contentious departure given their confidential settlement agreement, DePerno downplayed the acrimonious split in general terms. The COVID-19 pandemic hit Michigan weeks after the DePerno bench warrant was signed. Matthew DePerno is an attorney who serves clients worldwide from his office in Kalamazoo Michigan, USA.