Steve Cortes, CNN Political Commentator (left) & Rachelle Smit, Michigan House Representative (right) | Facebook
Steve Cortes, CNN Political Commentator (left) & Rachelle Smit, Michigan House Representative (right) | Facebook
State Representative Rachelle Smit announced a lawsuit against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. The legal action seeks a declaration that the House's subpoena, issued over six weeks ago, is valid and serves a proper legislative purpose. This move follows the Michigan House's decision to hold Benson in contempt for allegedly defying the subpoena, which required her to provide election training materials distributed to local clerks.
"Secretary Benson has proven she is unwilling to comply with our subpoena and Michigan law," said Smit, R-Martin. "She’s skirted the rules and done whatever she could to avoid public scrutiny. It’s become overwhelmingly clear that she will never release the training materials we’re looking for without direction from a court. Secretary Benson herself said she would see us in court; she’s going to get her chance real soon."
The lawsuit was filed in the Michigan Court of Claims, responsible for resolving disputes involving the State of Michigan or its agencies as defendants. The suit requests a declaratory judgment affirming the validity of the subpoena and an injunction preventing Benson or the Michigan Department of State from altering any pertinent records.
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