LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — State investigators say the $20 million Global Link grant scandal now reaches into Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s inner circle—and documents show the governor’s top advisor had early knowledge of the controversial request.

Grant approval.

In court filings tied to a criminal investigation into the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office revealed an email from grant recipient Fay Beydoun to Whitmer’s chief operating officer, Tricia Foster. In it, Beydoun said the MEDC had approved the grant “as the governor requested”—a claim now central to an investigation that’s already led to a search of MEDC offices and allegations of document concealment, according to The Detroit News.

MORE NEWS: Traverse City’s Cherry Festival Draws Half a Million and Hands Out a Whole Lot of Pie

The June 25 filing marks the first documented link between Whitmer’s office and the Global Link funding request, which bypassed standard oversight and delivered millions in state dollars to a group investigators say misused public funds.

Beydoun, a Whitmer donor and past state appointee, told The Detroit News she also pitched the grant to Whitmer directly in 2021, and later to top officials, including MEDC CEO Quentin Messer and Labor Director Susan Corbin. Prosecutors say those meetings preceded the grant’s quiet addition to a massive state budget in July 2022.

Too little too late?

The MEDC later canceled the grant in March, citing alleged “misuse,” including a $550,000 salary for Beydoun and questionable spending on flights and luxury goods. Investigators, however, say MEDC leaders failed to fully cooperate—leading to the June 18 raid of the agency’s Lansing headquarters.

During that search, MEDC general counsel Linda Asciutto allegedly tried to prevent investigators from accessing documents, according to sworn affidavits. Officers say Asciutto pushed a box across the floor and declared, “That’s all of it,” while keeping additional files on her desk labeled “AG Investigation Update.”

Asciutto insisted the documents were shielded by attorney-client privilege, but prosecutors argued that the agency could not issue a blanket claim of privilege without review. A “taint team” is now reviewing seized materials.

Gov. Whitmer’s office has repeatedly deflected questions about the grant’s origins, pointing reporters to former House Speaker Jason Wentworth, a Republican listed as the budget sponsor. Wentworth denies requesting the grant and says he’s cooperating with investigators.

MORE NEWS: Click, Test, Drive: Road Exams Now Online for Eligible Michiganders

Meanwhile, an internal memo shows Nessel’s office has established a legal firewall to separate those investigating the case from officials advising state employees who may be witnesses.

The case remains open. No charges have been filed.