No word on if DOJ will proceed with investigation on Steiger’s requests

by Richard Lamb—Advance Editor

The “request for investigations” made by Presque Isle County prosecutor Rick Steiger is now in the hands of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), civil rights division chief Jonathan M. Smith. What happens next is unclear.

Steiger made his accusations in the form of a letter to the office of the DOJ first made public in a story published in the Presque Isle County Advance last week. He made requests for the DOJ to investigate four points he levied against Sheriff Bob Paschke, undersheriff Joe Brewbaker and officials from the Michigan State Police (MSP).

“There is no cover-up. We are not hiding anything,” Paschke said last week. “For there to be a cover-up, we have to be hiding something and we are not hiding anything.”

MSP officials also called Steiger’s accusations unsubstantiated.

“The Michigan State Police is familiar with the allegations laid out in Mr. Steiger’s letter, as we have thoroughly investigated these matters in the past and found them to be unsubstantiated,” said inspector Christopher W. Stolicker, assistant district commander of the 7^th District, MSP, Traverse City last week.

What the DOJ decides to do at this point is anybody’s guess. Attempts to contact Smith at DOJ were not successful. And, an e-mail to his office requesting comment was met by what seemed to be a standardized response:

“The Special Litigation Section relies on information from community members to identify civil rights violations.  Each week, we receive hundreds of reports of potential violations.  We collect and analyze this information to help us select cases, and we may also use this information as evidence in an existing case.  We will review your e-mail to decide whether it is necessary to contact you for additional information.  We do not have the resources to follow-up on every e-mail.”

Steiger’s letter from Smith’s office, dated Sept. 12, stated nearly the same words, making no promises of an investigation, or that one would not be conducted.

“I am hopeful, after they review all information I provided, they come in and conduct a fair, independent investigation.  In the event wrongdoing is substantiated, I would expect the people involved be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Also, based on contact made to this office by staff of a federal senator, I am optimistic an investigation will occur,” Steiger said.

“Lastly, I would welcome our citizens to request the information and see for themselves the documents submitted to support my concerns.”

The story on Presque Isle Newspaper’s Web site, PIAdvance.com, drew the most interest of any story since the Dec. 18, 2013 posting on Wolverine Power’s decision to end its Rogers Township power plant project. The Web site had nearly four times the amount of visits for a typical day. Steiger said he has received input, too.

“I have heard various reactions.  Some have called with instances where they claim to know specifics of cover-ups by the agencies over the years.  Most would like to see the DOJ come in and investigate the matter.  I am saddened it has come to this,” Steiger said when asked of how he perceived the public reaction.

The prosecutor insists his pursuit of a DOJ investigation is not related to a case against him that failed to obtain a conviction on what was referred to as “doctor shopping.”

The charge in December 2011 came as the result of a Huron Undercover Narcotics Team (HUNT) and MSP investigation into Steiger’s alleged activities of obtaining narcotics prescriptions from multiple physicians. He contends the charges were made in a “campaign to destroy my reputation,” he told the DOJ.

“I wish the law enforcement agencies would have fairly and independently investigated my concerns when they were brough

t to their attention some years back.  I am not happy and take no satisfaction with having to expose the wrongdoing in the press.  However, when law enforcement failed to take appropriate action, I had a moral and constitutional obligation to ensure the issues are properly addressed for the benefit of the citizens in our community,” Steiger said this week.

Paschke insists Steiger’s charges against his department are unfounded. Steiger’s claim that his allegations are “merely a snapshot of the corruption that has been prevalent and condoned for decades” drew a strong response from the sheriff.

“He is throwing allegations around that are totally false and have no merit to them,” Paschke said. “That is a slap in the face of everyone who ever worked for the county,” Paschke added.