Donald Trump and Livingston County Sheriff Michael Murphy
Livingston County Sheriff Michael Murphy served on the Board of Directors for the LOCASA Center, which provides services for victims of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual violence.
But Steve Neavling of Metro Times, citing unnamed sources, reports that many board members were furious and called on Murphy to resign after he decided two weeks ago to host Donald Trump at his office for a campaign speech and press conference. Murphy ended up resigning.
The Michigan Bureau of Elections is investigating Murphy after Metro Times reported that he may have violated state law by using taxpayer resources to support a political candidate.
Neavling writes:
It was also a strange choice for Murphy, ostensibly an advocate for sexual abuse victims, to show support for Trump, who has admitted to groping women and was found liable last year for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll.
In his resignation notice, Murphy expressed that his decision was made to avoid overshadowing the important work of LACASA. He emphasized his long-standing commitment to the organization.
The sheriff told the Livingston Daily: “I don’t believe I violated the campaign finance act. I welcome the investigation.”
The publication also reported:
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.
