via the Detroit Free Press:
LANSING — State Rep. Neil Friske, R-Charlevoix, who was arrested early Thursday morning following a disturbance in Lansing that involved a firearm and a possible sexual assault, was released from the Lansing police lockup late Friday morning as Ingham County prosecutors continue to investigate possible charges against him.
Friske, 62, declined comment as he left the Lansing police station with his attorney, Edwar Zeineh of Lansing. Friske then drove away as a passenger in a red pickup truck.
"This is a case that is getting our full attention to show actual innocence," Zeineh told the Free Press.
Records the Free Press obtained Friday through the online Michigan State Police criminal background service, the Internet Criminal History Access Tool, show Lansing police requested felony charges of sexual assault, assault, and a weapons-related offense against Friske. The lawmaker has not been charged or arraigned and it is not clear those are the charges he will ultimately face.
In a Friday news release, Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane's office said it has requested Lansing police to continue its investigation, and prosecutors are coordinating with law enforcement on the matter.
Friske represents Michigan’s 107th state House district, which is pretty red; it’s rated as R+16 by Dave’s Redistricting and he won his 2022 election against Democrat Jodi Decker by 13 points.
Decker is giving it another shot this year, and while it’s still a long shot, it’s at least conceivable that she could end up beating him in November...if he’s the Republican nominee, that is; Friske has a primary challenger as well for Michigan’s August 6th primary.
Even so, it seems like a reasonable gamble to add her to my Michigan legislative fundraising page, especially since I have a couple of other red district Democrats listed for strategic reasons already.
