LANSING — Former state lawmaker Neil Friske will not be charged following an "exhaustive" criminal investigation into allegations he paid sex workers and committed sexual assault, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's office announced Aug. 14.
"The Department of Attorney General has closed its investigation without issuing criminal charges because, while exhaustive, the investigation did not yield sufficient evidence required to prove the specific allegations beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law," Nessel spokesman Danny Wimmer said in an email.
Friske's Detroit attorney, Alexandria Taylor, told the Detroit Free Press on Aug. 14 she is pleased that Friske won't be charged but believes the allegations cost him his seat in the Michigan House of Representatives.
"It's the right result a little too late," Taylor said.
"It's been a cloud hanging over his head. I am glad that this is finally behind him and he can move on."
Friske, R-Charlevoix, was a state lawmaker when he was arrested in Lansing on June 20, 2024 and held overnight in the city jail after police say they responded to reports of an adult male with a gun and possible shots fired.
Less than two months later, in August 2024. Friske lost a primary election to Parker Fairbairn, a Harbor Springs small business owner who went on to win the general election that November.
Lansing police initially had requested felony charges of sexual assault, assault, and a weapons-related offense against Friske, according to records previously obtained by the Free Press. The Free Press had also requested and obtained heavily redacted police reports that indicated police investigated Friske for potential first-degree criminal sexual conduct, the most serious sexual assault charge.
But the Ingham County prosecutor never filed charges against Friske, and in September 2024 he referred the case to Nessel.
Wimmer said in his Aug. 14 statement that the case was moved to the AG "upon the discovery of evidence indicating Mr. Friske allegedly engaged in similar conduct, namely paying money for sex, on several occasions in multiple jurisdictions, from Lansing into Northern Michigan, as well as another allegation of sexual assault."
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This investigation, which involved the Michigan State Police, contemplated criminal charges for alleged or suspected conduct in violation of state firearm, commercial sex, and sexual assault statutes, Wimmer said.
"Our office can only proceed with criminal charges and prosecution when its prosecutors hold a reasonable belief that they will be able to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, the conduct alleged," he said. "Allegations such as those investigated here are often difficult to bring before a judge and jury."
Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Neil Friske investigation closed without criminal charges, AG says