Did the Livingston County Sheriff's Office violate the law by hosting Trump?

HOWELL — The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Mike Murphy are the subject of two campaign finance law complaints after hosting a press conference for former president Donald Trump on Tuesday, Aug. 20.

According to reporting from Bridge Michigan , the Michigan Bureau of Elections is investigating allegations LCSO and Murphy used public resources to host the political event.

The Daily has submitted questions to Murphy about the cost of the event, as well as the cost to the department from a previous visit in 2021 by President Joe Biden. That visit was not hosted by LCSO.

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According to Bridge, the complaints against Murphy and his office were confirmed by Angela Benander, a spokesperson for the Department of State, who decline to share any details. The Michigan Campaign Finance Act , under section 169.257, makes the use of public resources to support a political candidate a crime, including funds, personnel, office space, computer hardware or software, property, stationery, postage, vehicles, equipment and supplies.

A person who knowingly violates section 169.257, as an individual, is guilty of a misdemeanor and can be punished by imprisonment for not more than a year or a fine of not more than $1,000. A group who violates the section can face a fine of up to $20,000 or a fine equal to the amount of the improper contribution or expenditure, whichever is greater.

The event was held in a garage at LCSO, with sheriff vehicles in the background and officers lined up behind Trump. The courthouse was closed to accommodate guest and press parking. A nearby dog park was also closed. Reporters from The Daily observed significant presence from LCSO, secret service and military both inside and outside the venue. Drones, dogs, a helicopter and rooftop snipers were used for additional security.

“I don’t believe I violated the campaign finance act,” Murphy wrote to The Daily via text. “I welcome the investigation.”

Benander confirmed the complaints to The Daily on Friday, adding: "I won’t be able to provide any additional information until they have completed their investigation and make a determination in this case." She said, once a determination is made, it will be available at michigan.gov/sos/elections/disclosure/cfr/complaints/campaign-finance-disclosure-resolved-complaints .

“This is nothing more than a weak attempt by Democrats to throw mud and hope it sticks," Livingston County Republican Party Chair Rob Rodriguez-Pelizzari wrote in an emailed statement to The Daily. "They are threatened by the overwhelming popularity of President Trump, compared to their own weak candidate — whom the public did not vote for. At best, it's a desperate attempt to mitigate damages.

“President Trump made a request of our county sheriff to come talk about safety, and the sheriff accommodated him. Trump has always been a strong advocate for law enforcement, so this seemed a reasonable request. It wasn't as though they were giving away Trump 2024 signs or bumper stickers. People weren't charged to get in, and donations to his campaign were not solicited."

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According to Bridge, the Trump campaign deferred comment on the campaign finance complaints to LCSO.

Murphy also faced campaign finance complaints in 2018, when the state determined he broke the law by appearing in uniform with a department vehicle in a campaign video for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Schuette. Murphy paid $100 to the state and $100 to the county as reimbursement in 2019.

That complaint was filed by Livingston County Democratic Party Chair Judith Daubenmier, who also recently filed a complaint against Jay Drick, chairman of the Livingston County Board of Commissioners, for criticizing a primary opponent and highlighting his strengths during a public board meeting in July.

An update on the complaint against Drick was not immediately available Friday, but a previous complaint filed against him in 2022 was resolved with a formal warning, after Drick failed to include required disclaimers on campaign signage.

In a message to The Daily on Friday, Daubenmier said she hasn't yet filed a complaint about Tuesday's press conference, but plans to file one after returning to Michigan from the DNC.

— Contact reporter Tess Ware at tware@livingstondaily.com .

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Did the Livingston County Sheriff's Office violate the law by hosting Trump?