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Michigan lawmaker accuses GOP colleague of domestic abuse; state police investigating

Detroit Free Press - 9/15/2021

A Birmingham Democratic lawmaker says a Macomb County Republican colleague committed domestic abuse.

The allegations from Rep. Mari Manoogian, D-Birmingham, against Rep. Steve Marino, R-Harrison Township, and conduct by Marino are the subject of a Michigan State Police investigation and prompted House Speaker Jason Wentworth, R-Farwell, to strip Marino of his legislative duties, according to Wentworth's office.

"I will always prioritize the safety of state legislators and those who are serving their community at the state Capitol. Once I learned of this situation, I took immediate action. Going forward, the House is honoring Rep. Manoogian's request for privacy while others look into the allegations," Wentworth said in a statement late Wednesday.

"The House will continue to assist with the Michigan State Police investigation, take every precaution to ensure Rep. Manoogian's safety, and ultimately allow the legal process to play out. We will be able to provide further updates at the appropriate time."

In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon on Twitter, Manoogian said she is one of many in Michigan to experience domestic abuse and she's asking for privacy.

"The unfortunate reality is that many people in our society have experienced domestic abuse, which often comes from someone we would never expect," Manoogian said.

"None of us are immune to a volatile relationship regardless of our career. It can happen right here in our legislature where abuse of power and threats to ruin a colleague's reputation, as well as threats of public shaming, can be used to intimidate fellow members of the legislature. I'm asking for privacy as I take steps to ensure my safety while I continue to represent my district and do the work of the people."

None of the statements provided additional details about the exact nature of the allegations or any relationship involving Marino and Manoogian.

A Michigan State Police spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Marino did not return a voicemail left Wednesday morning.

House Democratic Leader Donna Lasinski, D-Scio Township, issued a statement supporting Manoogian.

"I will always put the safety of our members first. I stand by Rep. Manoogian and her request for privacy. Our caucus is acutely aware of the challenges that come with being a female elected official, and will not tolerate any threats of abuse, retribution and public embarrassment that are used to intimidate women," Lasinski said.

Earlier Wednesday, Wentworth's office confirmed the speaker had stripped Marino of all of his legislative committee duties, including removing him from a coveted committee chairmanship.

"Rep. Marino is no longer the chair of the Commerce Committee and no longer serves on the Local Government committee. Rep. Pauline Wendzel has been appointed to serve as the committee chair," Gideon D'Assandro, a Wentworth spokesman, said in a statement.

"The speaker trusts Rep. Wendzel to carefully review important legislation related to Michigan's economy and make strong recommendations to the rest of the House of Representatives."

Wendzel is a Bainbridge Township Republican who has represented her West Michigan district since 2018.

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In a very brief letter sent Tuesday, Wentworth informed Marino he would no longer serve on any committee. The letter provided no context for the decision, and D'Assandro declined further comment.

Previously a lobbyist and Macomb County commissioner, Marino was elected to the statehouse in 2016. He garnered substantial criticism during his first campaign after secret recordings captured him saying a powerful state senator forced him to pay a bar bill at his daughter's wedding.

In the recording, Marino emphasized it wasn't any wedding but a "Jewish wedding." Marino retracted the comments and apologized for them, saying he mischaracterized what happened and "was just trying to illustrate some of the silliness" of Lansing.

More: House GOP removes Detroit Democrat from committees, citing 'threats' in her Facebook video

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This is at least the third time Wentworth has had a role in removing a lawmaker from committees.

In late 2020, after he was chosen as the new speaker but before formally taking the role, Wentworth worked with then-Speaker Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, on removing one Republican and one Democrat from their committees.

Rep. Cynthia Johnson, D-Detroit, was pulled in December after she made comments in a Facebook video that legislative leaders and others perceived as threatening. She made the statements after receiving death threats following verbal barbs she traded with Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani during a raucous legislative hearing.

Days later, Rep Gary Eisen, R-St. Clair Township, was also stripped of his committee assignments. In a radio interview at the time, Eisen suggested he was part of a group that planned to disrupt the Electoral College voting process at the statehouse and that he could not rule out violence.

Both Johnson and Eisen were reassigned to committees at the start of the new legislative session in January.

Contact Dave Boucher at dboucher@freepress.com or 313-938-4591. Follow him on Twitter @Dave_Boucher1.

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