In the latest episode of Pantsuits and Lawsuits, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is joined by guest host





Share or view as webpage [ [link removed] ] | Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ]






Michigan Department of Attorney General Press Release banner [ [link removed] ]




*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:*
January 20, 2025




*Media Contact:*
Danny Wimmer <[email protected]>






AGs Nessel, Platkin Highlight State Efforts to Halt Public Corruption in Latest Pantsuits and Lawsuits Episode

*LANSING* – In the latest episode of Pantsuits and Lawsuits, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is joined by guest host former New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin (PNG) [ [link removed] ] to discuss how public corruption actually works, why it inflates your bills and weakens your services, and what it takes to hold powerful people to the same laws as everyone else. From the misuse of tax credits to officials running private ventures from public offices, the attorneys general break down real cases, hard lessons, and the reforms that followed. 

The conversation explores the pressure that comes with prosecuting the well-connected: claims of “weaponization,” media megaphones used against prosecutors who can’t respond, and the Supreme Court decisions that narrowed federal corruption tools. During the episode, former Attorney General Platkin explains the history behind New Jersey’s strong anti-corruption statutes, while Attorney General Nessel shares Michigan’s recent overhaul of opaque earmarks—forcing sponsors to testify and face specific votes.  

The episode then turns to the hidden “corruption tax”: dark money washing through politics, utility influence that distorts rates and reliability, and FOIA gaps that breed suspicion. The attorneys general explore practical solutions with broad public support: banning stock trading for officials with enforcement power, tough financial disclosures, cooling-off periods to slow the revolving door from elected official to lobbyist, robust public financing to elevate small donors, and a sustained push to overturn Citizens United.  

“It was great talking to former Attorney General Platkin about the work our states are doing to expose corruption,” Nessel said. “Real reforms prove that the rules really do apply to everyone and that we can combat the schemes that drive up our costs and weaken our services.”   

New episodes of "Pantsuits and Lawsuits" are released biweekly to break down complex legal topics in a way that is engaging, informative, and accessible to listeners. With their blend of expertise, humor, and straight talk, the Attorneys General Nessel and Kris Mayes explore major legal cases, analyze state and national policy debates, and discuss how attorneys general help shape justice. Through these discussions, listeners will gain a behind-the-scenes look at the work attorneys general do to serve and protect their communities.  

The latest episode is available now [ [link removed] ] on major podcast platforms. 

###






AG logo [ [link removed] ]





*Media Inquiries* <[email protected]>




*Latest Releases* [ [link removed] ]




*File a Complaint* [ [link removed] ]








Connect with us:

facebook icon [ [link removed] ] x icon [ [link removed] ] youtube icon [ [link removed] ] instagram icon [ [link removed] ] linkedin icon [ [link removed] ] govdelivery icon <[email protected]> threads icon [ [link removed] ]

If you wish to no longer receive emails from us, 
please update your preferences here:
Manage Preferences [ [link removed] ]  |  Delete Profile [ [link removed] ]

Need further assistance?
Contact Us  |  Help [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics at Michigan.gov/Vote [ [link removed] ].

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Attorney General · G. Mennen Williams Building, 7th Floor · 525 W. Ottawa St., P.O. Box 30212 · Lansing, MI 48909 · 517-373-1100
body .abe-column-block { min-height: 5px; } table.gd_combo_table img {margin-left:10px; margin-right:10px;} table.gd_combo_table div.govd_image_display img, table.gd_combo_table td.gd_combo_image_cell img {margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px;} table.govd_hr {min-width: 100%;} p, li, h1, h2, h3 { overflow-wrap: normal; word-wrap: normal; word-break: keep-all; -moz-hyphens: none; -ms-hyphens: none; -webkit-hyphens: none; hyphens: none; mso-hyphenate: none; }