WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Five months ago this week, St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners sent a letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer seeking her aid in removing Mark Lillywhite as sheriff.
A copy was included to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
County officials said they have not received word from anyone at the state regarding the Aug. 31 letter, which was sent Sept. 1.
Stacey LaRouche, press secretary for Whitmer, said the matter remains under review. She confirmed receipt of the county’s letter and said, per protocol, it was initially turned over to Nessel’s office.
Danny Wimmer, press secretary for Nessel, said while the department of attorney general has no statutory role in the removal or request-for-removal process, the governor’s office typically asks the attorney general’s office to review such requests
He said the attorney general’s office completed its review and forwarded its findings to the executive office of the governor.
LaRouche stated via email “We are reviewing this matter.” No timeframe of when review of the issue will be completed was indicated.
The one-year anniversary of Lillywhite’s well-documented arrest for operating under the influence following a crash on U.S. 131 in southern Kalamazoo County is coming up at the end of the month.
The wheels of justice turn slowly.
This is absurd. They can’t be bothered to do something simple like this? There needs to be some changes to the whole structure of sheriff’s departments in Michigan. This should be something that can be handled like any other malfeasance by elected officials by a recall.