The Michigan Supreme Court will hear arguments tomorrow involving Meijer officials who may have violated state campaign finance law.
The company financed a public relations campaign to kick out village trustees who opposed Meijer’s plans to build a new store in their community. The move may have violated Michigan’s campaign finance law, which bars corporations and their agents from making campaign contributions. The Grand Traverse Eagle has done a great job covering the case.
Alan Schneider is Grand Traverse County Prosecutor. He’s wanted to pursue an investigation against the Meijer officials. But attorneys for the Meijer officials involved say only the Secretary of State’s office has the authority to prosecute campaign finance cases. Alan Schneider says the Michigan Supreme Court must decide who’s right.
“If there’s a crime, that’s a state crime, we are obligated to prosecute.”
The whole issue could be moot. Last year, the US Supreme Court struck down federal laws barring corporations from making political contributions.
Meanwhile, Meijer has paid millions of dollars in settlements to the state and the targeted village trustees.
