MARSHALL, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Concerns among the Marshall community regarding suspected corruption linked to the Marshall Ford/CATL EV battery megasite, often referred to as the “BlueOval Battery Factory,” have reached a new level, prompting action from the Michigan State Police (MSP).
According to a press release from EDRA (Economic Development Responsibility Alliance), Barry Wayne Adams, a local resident and leader of grassroots efforts opposing the megasite, formally submitted a request for a criminal investigation through an affidavit to Sgt. Bierema and Sgt. Schrader at the Marshall Post of MSP on March 28th.
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Michigan News Source reached out to Sgt. Bierema and was able to confirm that he received the request and it will be discussed with the 5th District Headquarters and they will be continuing with the investigation.
Request for criminal investigation reaches Michigan State Police.
In his affidavit, Adams states his grounds for the complaint, citing multiple instances of ethics violations and “misconduct in office.”
Allegations of money laundering, fraud, coercion, illegal rezoning and more.
The alleged instances outlined in the affidavit encompass a range of transgressions, including but not limited to money laundering, fraud, coercion, illegal rezoning, falsification of public records, conflicts of interest, intentional deceit of the public, unlawful prevention of voter referendums, and breaches of Michigan’s campaign finance laws.
Gov. Whitmer, the MEDC, local politicians and others listed in complaint.
Among the parties implicated in Adams’ criminal complaint are Michigan’s Democratic Governor Whitmer, members of various committees associated with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) board, and the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance (MAEDA), as well as individuals associated with the Marshall Citizens for Jobs and Opportunity (MCJO), a group allegedly funded by undisclosed sources of dark money.
According to the affidavit, additional local officials are also named as subjects of the complaint including the city council, the city clerk, the city attorney, the city manager, members of the city’s planning commission, council members of the township of Marshall as well as members of its planning commission and the joint planning commission between the city of Marshall and township of Marshall.
Lawsuit over zoning referendum already in court.
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According to EDRA, some of the allegations are currently undergoing review by the Michigan Court of Appeals, particularly concerning the dispute over the residents’ right to hold a referendum on the
industrial zoning of the megasite. In a significant development, the court recently granted Marshall residents’ request for an expedited review of their case against MAEDA and the city of Marshall, indicating the seriousness of the issues at hand.
In his submitted affidavit, Adams acknowledges the discomfort in challenging established authorities but underscores the importance of addressing systemic corruption within government institutions. He asserts that failure to uphold the rule of law in the face of such corruption could spell the demise of the republic.
As the investigation unfolds, the ramifications of these accusations may reverberate not only within Marshall but throughout the state of Michigan and other affected megasite projects, highlighting broader concerns about transparency, accountability, and the integrity of public governance.
No comment from the people named in affidivit.
Michigan News Source also reached out to the governor’s office and the partners in the project accused in the affidavit but no comments about the issue were received.
