The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office is under investigation by the Michigan Bureau of Elections for allegedly violating the state’s Campaign Finance Act. The controversy stems from the office hosting a “press conference” featuring former President Donald Trump on August 20, 2024. Despite being labeled as a press conference, many residents and political experts believe the event was actually a political gathering. The Michigan Campaign Finance Act prohibits the use of public resources to support political candidates, which could be seen as a violation in this case.

Sheriff Michael Murphy has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the event was not political and was intended to address safety and crime issues. However, critics argue that the presence of Trump’s campaign logo, sheriff’s office vehicles, and the involvement of senior officials from the department suggest a political nature. This is not the first time Murphy has faced campaign finance complaints; he was previously fined for appearing in a campaign video for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Schuette in 2018.

The investigation is ongoing, and if the sheriff’s office is found in violation, it could face fines up to $1,000 or $20,000, depending on whether it is an individual or a group. The outcome of the investigation will be publicly disclosed once it is completed.