By Mary Drier
Staff Writer
HURON COUNTY — No wrongdoing was found during a Michigan State Police (MSP) investigation of several Huron County leaders that was requested by a state representative; and now, some of those who were “unduly” investigated are considering taking legal action.
State House Rep. Kurt Damrow wanted the MSP to investigate Huron County Sheriff Kelly Hanson, his department, judges, lawyers, and several others in the county.
According to MSP Caro Post Commander Mitch Krugielki a thorough investigation was done.
“Nothing was found (against one),” said Krugielki. “It was determined, after a review of the facts of the case, there was nothing that rose to the level of criminal worngdoing.
“Subsequently, the investigation has been closed.”
Damrow declined to discuss the allegations in his complaint.
“The complaints received were confidential,” Damrow responded in an e-mail. “When I discussed what people had shared with me, it was agreed that it is not something this office handled, and we needed to have it sorted out by the MSP. They looked at it and found nothing related to criminal charges.
“For me, that’s the end of it. From now on we’re referring any types of complaints not related to the operations of the state agency directly to the authorities.”
While Damrow didn’t want to discuss the investigation, Hanson did.
Hanson pointed out Damrow’s “80 plus allegations,” the 60 points of reference of persons known, persons unknown, and unknown entities in the allegations which consisted of five pages.
“These outrageous allegations are wide ranging and include two judges (one now retired), several attorneys, members of the road commission, and various other citizens,” explained Hanson.
Hanson said he believes the allegations stem from “personal and professional issues” Damrow had with some leaders while he was a Huron County Commissioner from 2008-2010.
Because the MSP determined the allegations against Hanson, his department, and others were unfounded, Hanson says he plans to seek legal action against Damrow as soon as the detective involved is available.
“I’m going to suggest charges be filed for a false report of a crime, intimidation – hindering a public employee, and false and malicious accusations of a crime,” said Hanson. “It has been a mess trying to deal with this. It’s all unfounded. A waste of effort and resources that could have been avoided if he (Damrow) would have used better judgment.”
Plus, Hanson noted he has heard that others who were wrongfully accused may also file civil complaints against Damrow.
“The allegations are reckless and lack merit. It appears, however, that Mr. Damrow has used the prestige of his office to pursue personal vendettas,” said Hanson in a press release.
According to Hanson, some of Damrow’s “unfounded allegations” range from: Hanson’s flying a drug dealer around the country during the 1990s and acts of intimidation as sheriff, to a judge running over a person causing death and being covered up by the prosecutor’s office, implications of conflicts of interest by road commissioners and employees, to allegations of a judge and local attorney being arrested for being with prostitutes and in possession of drugs.
In one of Hanson’s press releases. He explained when he talked to D/F/Lt. Marv Jenkins with the MSP Third District Headquarters in Saginaw during the investigation, he was advised the “investigation originated out of Lansing. It was not clear to me what ‘Lansing’ meant.’”
This is not the first time Damrow and the sheriff’s department have had issues. Earlier this year, they were at odds over Damrow’s traffic ticket and allegations that he was driving on a suspended driver’s license. Damrow’s wife was briefly put behind bars by a Huron County judge for allegedly not complying with child visitation for her former husband for their child.
