Grand jury sought in lawmaker's party switch | News

MASON, Mich. (AP) -- The Democratic leader in Michigan's Senate is seeking a one-person grand jury to look into a fellow lawmaker's last-minute switch to the Republican Party.

Sen. Gretchen Whitmer filed a complaint Wednesday in Ingham County Circuit Court in Mason.

Rep. Roy Schmidt was a Grand Rapids Democrat who switched to the GOP just before the filing deadline for the Aug. 7 primary. He recruited his son's friend to be his Democratic opponent. Republican House Speaker Jase Bolger worked to have Schmidt make the switch.

Whitmer says in a release the case should be investigated further to "make a determination as to whether crimes were committed."

Republican Kent County Prosecutor William Forsyth said no criminal laws had been broken.

John Truscott, a spokesman for Schmidt, says Whitmer's complaint has no merit.