Mike Cox

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For other people named Mike Cox, see Mike Cox (disambiguation).
Mike Cox
52nd Michigan Attorney General
In office
January 1, 2003 – January 1, 2011
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
Preceded by Jennifer M. Granholm
Succeeded by Bill Schuette
Personal details
Born Michael Anthony Cox
(1961-12-30) December 30, 1961 (age 50)
Detroit, Michigan
Nationality United States
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Laura Cox
Residence Livonia, Michigan
Alma mater University of Michigan
University of Michigan Law School
Occupation Lawyer, Prosecutor, Attorney General
Religion Roman Catholic
Military service
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service 1980–1983

Mike Cox (born 1961) was Michigan's 52nd Attorney General; the first Republican to hold that office since 1955. Cox took office in 2003 and won re-election in 2006. Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm preceded him in office.[1]

Cox lost the Republican gubernatorial primary election August 3, 2010, coming in third behind Rick Snyder and Pete Hoekstra.[2]

Contents

[edit] Education and professional career

Cox graduated from Detroit Catholic Central High School in 1980. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1980 to 1983. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1986 and earned his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1989. He worked for the Oakland County Prosecutors' office from 1989 to 1990, then the Wayne County office from 1990 to 2002, before being elected Attorney General.[3] Cox successfully ran for re-election in 2006, after receiving the Republican party nomination at the August Michigan Republican Party Convention. Cox left office in 2010 due to term limit requirements ironically pushed for by predecessor Republicans when a Democrat was in office. In 2011 he joined the prominent Detroit law firm, Dykema Gosset. Cox didn't even last a year with the firm however.[4] Later that same year Cox left Dykema Gosset and started his own law firm. He describes himself on his website (mikecoxlaw.com) as zealous, relentless, possessing "unparalleled experience," unique, renowned, extraordinary, "very successful," and tenacious.

[edit] Attorney General of Michigan

As attorney general, Cox took a prominent role in taking on Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM). Cox has opposed BCBSM supported bills and challenged BCBSM in court for the alleged transfer of nonprofit funds to purchase a for-profit company.[clarification needed][5]

In 2003, Cox created a cold case unit to investigate and prosecute cold cases.[6] Cox's team has had notable convictions including Coral Watts, Gary Leiterman, John Rodney McRae, two brothers who killed two Oakland County hunters, two people who killed Christopher Brown, six people who murdered Janet Chandler in 1979, and most recently, Timothy Dawson who was convicted of killing his wife.[7]

[edit] Detroit Mayor's mansion party

Cox played a role in aftermath of a party at Manoogian Mansion, then the residence of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. Strippers were alleged to have been present at the party and allegedly assaulted; one dancer was murdered shortly after.[8][9][10] Citing no evidence, no proof, and no witnesses, Cox declined to offer a subpoena, effectively closing an investigation by the State of Michigan into allegations of the "wild party."[11][12] The Michigan State Police continued its own separate investigation.

Cox interviewed the Mayor with his chief criminal prosecutor.[11] The police noted that Cox insisted on interviewing the former mayor alone without Michigan State Police officers present, because there were allegations of media leaks.[13] State police officers have testified that they had strong leads that needed to be followed regarding the Manoogian Mansion party, that the state police believed that the Detroit Police Department was destroying evidence in the case, but "because of actions by Attorney General Mike Cox, they were powerless to stop them."[14][15] A state police memo indicated that they had wanted to interview the mayor and the mayor's wife, but because the attorney general had "shut down" the investigation, the state police could not get subpoenas, medical records or witnesses cooperation.[8] In response, Cox said that he closed the investigation after interviewing more than 130 people who stated the party never took place,[16] and called the accusations against him "absolute bullshit". Cox explained that the focus of his investigation was whether Kilpatrick's bodyguards were being paid illegal overtime to work the party. Cox also said that the police could have "went"[16] to Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy if they wanted subpoenas. Cox stated that he closed the investigation without interviewing the alleged perpetrator of the assault because the allegations only involved a misdemeanor and the state police did not need to interview the alleged perpetrator. In addition, Cox said that newspaper reporters did not find evidence that the police did not find.[17]

Seven years after the investigation, the party has not been proven to have occurred.[11] However, after Cox ended the investigation, a records clerk at the police department has claimed that she saw a police report of an assault at the Manoogian Mansion.[18] The chief of police from a nearby city alleged that he was invited to the party. A witness at a hospital claimed that an assault victim arrived for treatment with what appeared to be the then-mayor's security detail, and the witness was told by a co-worker that the victim had been beaten by the mayor's wife.[19] A 9-1-1 dispatcher has also given testimony under oath in a civil deposition about officers who were dispatched to the Mansion regarding a disturbance. She said she was told by responding officers that Cox was present at the party. Mike Cox denied the accusation in a TV interview.[20] More recently, a woman who alleges that she also danced at the Manogian Mansion party has come forward and has sworn under oath that not only did the party happen, but that she witnessed an assault by the former Mayor's wife on Tamara Greene at the party. She also has alleged that several Detroit police officers were guests at the party.[21]

[edit] Adultery law

Cox received nationwide press in 2007 when the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that adultery could be prosecuted as first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a resulting life in prison sentence. This unanimous decision was reached as a result of an appeal sought by Cox's office on a drug case that touched in part on this strange loophole in the law.[22][23] In November 2005, Cox himself admitted to committing adultery while accusing Oakland County lawyer Geoffrey Fieger of blackmail, claiming that he threatened to reveal the affair if Cox did not drop an investigation into Fieger's alleged campaign finance violations.[24][25] Cox said his personal conduct was "inexcusable" and had reconciled with his wife.

Pursuant to MCL 750.31, however, only Cox himself, his wife, or parties to the marriage (if any) of the co-adulterer or adulterers with whom he committed felonies may pursue a complaint for prosecution of felony adultery. Cox did not recuse himself from the decision to file a complaint for prosecution of his adultery notwithstanding the apparent conflict of interest.[12]

[edit] Health care

Cox joined nineteen other state attorneys general, all but one being Republican, in challenging the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act after its passage.[26][27] Critics contended that this action was a political move because Cox was running for governor.[28][29] Timothy Stoltzfus Jost, a professor of law at the Washington and Lee University, has criticized this unusual move as being not only "frivolous" but a waste of tax payers' dollars.[30]

[edit] Assistant Attorney General controversy

In 2010, Assistant Attorney General Andrew Shirvell began publishing a blog targeting University of Michigan Student-Body President, Chris Armstrong.[31] Shirvell's blog, Chris Armstrong Watch, published nearly 30 entries, including ones calling the Michigan student "nazi like", a recruiter for "the cult that is homosexuality", and a proponent of a "racist, anti-Christian agenda". Shirvell also admitted that he pickets the student's speaking events and follows his activity on the social-networking site Facebook. The story was picked up by several nationally recognized gay-rights blogs[32] and, by September 2010, drew nationwide media attention to the State of Michigan Attorney General's office.[33]

Shirvell was "banned" from the University of Michigan campus on September 14, but the ban was modified by November to prohibit only physical or verbal contact with Chris Armstrong.[34] On September 30, it was reported that Armstrong was seeking a restraining order against Shirvell.[35] The following day, Shirvell was reportedly taking a voluntary leave of absence.[36] On October 25, 2010, AnnArbor.com reported that Chris Armstrong had dropped his restraining order request.

Cox initially defended Shirvell's right to engage in free speech activities, even though Cox stated that Shirvell was a bully, immature, and showed a "lack of judgment."[37] On November 8, 2010, Cox fired Shirvell for having "repeatedly violated office policies, engaged in borderline stalking behavior, and [having] inappropriately used state resources."[38] Cox said that Shirvell lied to investigators "on several occasions during his disciplinary hearing."[38] Shirvell was not charged with stalking, but Cox said that Shirvell behaved in a way that "was harassing, uninvited and showed a pattern that was, in the everyday sense, stalking."[38] He cited examples such as Shirvell calling the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi where Armstrong worked "in an attempt to slander Armstrong" and get him fired, trying to "out" Armstrong's friends as homosexual, and harassing Armstrong's friends while out socializing in Ann Arbor; Shirvell called Pelosi's office and posted some of his online blog comments on Armstrong while he was on the job as an assistant attorney general.[38]

[edit] 2010 campaign for governor

Main article: Michigan gubernatorial election, 2010

Cox filed paperwork to explore a bid for governor in 2008, and was the first person to form an exploratory committee.[39] The Republican nominee in 2006, Dick DeVos, announced in November 2008 that he was not going to seek the GOP nomination in 2010.[40] In March 2009, the Detroit Free Press reported that Cox led the likely Democratic challenger at the time, Lt. Governor John D. Cherry, by 41-34%.[41] Cherry later decided not to run.

On May 27, 2009, Cox formally announced his candidacy for governor on Facebook and Twitter.[42]

Local and national polling indicated in March 2010 that Cox was one of the front-runners for the Republican nomination, potentially defeating his potential Democratic opponents in the 2010 gubernatorial election by comfortable margins in hypothetical match-ups.[43][44][45][46]

Cox finished third in the Republican gubernatorial primary, behind businessman Rick Snyder and Congressman Pete Hoekstra.[2][47]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "2006 Official Michigan General Election Results". State of Michigan. http://miboecfr.nictusa.com/election/results/06GEN/04000000.html. 
  2. ^ a b "2010 Official Michigan Primary Election Results - Governor 4 Year Term (1) Position". Miboecfr.nictusa.com. http://miboecfr.nictusa.com/election/results/10PRI/02000000.html. Retrieved 2010-11-04. 
  3. ^ "campaign bio". Mikecox2010.com. http://mikecox2010.com/meet-mike. Retrieved 2010-10-07. 
  4. ^ "Former AG Departs Dykema". crainsdetroit.com. http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20120118/STAFFBLOG11/120119883/former-ag-cox-departs-dykema-after-one-year-will-launch-new-firm-updated#. Retrieved 2012-01-24. 
  5. ^ Ansett, Pat (April 29, 2008). "Cox criticizes changes that Blue Cross seeks.". Detroit Free Press. http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080429/BUSINESS06/804290313/1019/BUSINESS06. Retrieved November 8, 2008. 
  6. ^ Donnelly, Francis X. (June 12, 2006). "Cracking cold cases becomes police priority.". The Detroit News. 
  7. ^ Deiters, Barton (November 6, 2008). "Murder victim's family relieved after Timothy Dawson convicted for 2004 murder of his wife.". The Grand Rapids Press. http://www.mlive.com/grpress/news/index.ssf/2008/11/murder_victims_family_relieved.html. Retrieved November 8, 2008. [dead link]
  8. ^ a b "Looking Back At AG's Manoogian Investigation || WXYZ.com | WXYZ-TV / Detroit | Detroit News, Weather, Sports and More". WXYZ.com. 2008-03-13. http://www.wxyz.com/content/news/investigators/story/Looking-Back-At-AGs-Manoogian-Investigation/mnTVltBfCUyGy5L5yQMkWA.cspx. Retrieved 2010-03-04. [dead link]
  9. ^ [1][dead link]
  10. ^ "Timeline of the Mayor Kilpatrick Scandal — Timeline of the Mayor Kilpatrick Scandal". Detroit.about.com. http://detroit.about.com/od/governmentpolitics/a/scandal.htm. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  11. ^ a b c "Cox states case on Manoogian probe | freep.com | Detroit Free Press". freep.com. http://www.freep.com/article/20091122/NEWS01/911220441/Cox-states-case-on-Manoogian-probe. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  12. ^ a b "News+Views: Cox in a box". Metro Times. http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=12651. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  13. ^ "Looking Back At AG's Manoogian Investigation || WXYZ.com | WXYZ-TV / Detroit | Detroit News, Weather, Sports and More". WXYZ.com. 2008-03-13. http://www.wxyz.com/news/story.aspx?content_id=96D5749A-5FD0-4C09-86CB-92F9C9032458&gsa=true. Retrieved 2010-03-04. [dead link]
  14. ^ "Detective Testifies In Greene Suit — Detroit Local News Story — WDIV Detroit". Clickondetroit.com. 2009-10-20. http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/21348314/detail.html. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  15. ^ "Detectives Reveal Details About Greene Death — Video — WDIV Detroit". Clickondetroit.com. http://www.clickondetroit.com/video/21354368/index.html. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  16. ^ a b "Attorney General Mike Cox on accusation he interfered with murder investigation of Detroit stripper Tamara Greene: 'This is crap'". MLive.com. http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2009/10/attorney_general_mike_cox_on_a.html. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  17. ^ "Oosting, Jonathan. "Attorney General Mike Cox on accusation he interfered with murder investigation of Detroit stripper Tamara Greene: 'This is crap'" Mlive.com Oct. 23, 2009". Mlive.com. http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2009/10/attorney_general_mike_cox_on_a.html. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  18. ^ "Former police clerk says she saw stripper's police report of Manoogian assault | Grand Rapids News Archives — MLive.com". Blog.mlive.com. http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2008/03/former_police_clerk_says_she_s.html. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  19. ^ "MANOOGIAN MANSION PARTY Ch 4 INVESTIGATION". YouTube. 13 February 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfMnRvBEmlc. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  20. ^ “”. "May 21, 2010: Mike Cox was at Kwame's Manoogian Party". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5b3M65utj0. Retrieved 2010-10-07. 
  21. ^ Detroit Free Press, November 15, 2010 at pages A1 and A5.
  22. ^ Jarvie, Jenny (2007-01-24). "Life sentence for adultery? Could be / Furor in Michigan when appeals judge says that's exactly what state law means - SFGate". Articles.sfgate.com. http://articles.sfgate.com/2007-01-24/news/17225912_1_sexual-conduct-sentence-michigan-court. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  23. ^ Flesher, John (2007-01-19). "Judge's Footnote On Adultery Stirs a Tempest In Michigan". washingtonpost.com. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/18/AR2007011801777.html. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  24. ^ [2][dead link]
  25. ^ "Mich. Currently, there is on ongoing investigation into Geoffrey Fieger's campaign contributions of 2004. Attorney General Acknowledges Affair". Washingtonpost.com. 2005-11-09. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/09/AR2005110902365_pf.html. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  26. ^ Reuters (2010-04-07). "20 States Prepare for Day in Court Against Health Care Law". FoxNews.com. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/13/states-prepare-day-court-health-care-law/. Retrieved 2010-10-07. 
  27. ^ "Judge urges swift action on health-care suit — Kris Wernowsky". Pensacola News Journal. April 15, 2010. http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20100415/NEWS01/4150322/Judge-urges-swift-action-on-health-care-suit. Retrieved 2010-04-19. [dead link]
  28. ^ [3][dead link]
  29. ^ [4][dead link]
  30. ^ "Health bill lawsuits are going nowhere - CNN.com". CNN. 2010-03-24. http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/03/24/jost.health.bill.challenges/index.html?hpt=T2. Retrieved 2010-05-12. 
  31. ^ "Asst. attorney general targets openly gay college student". WXYZ. http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/asst.-attorney-general-engaging-in-cyber-bullying,-targeting-an-openly-gay-college-student. Retrieved 2010-09-16. 
  32. ^ "Michigan Assistant AG Targets Gay University Student President Chris Armstrong in Disgusting Cyber-Bullying Campaign". Towleroad.com. http://www.towleroad.com/2010/09/shirvell.html. Retrieved 2010-09-16. 
  33. ^ "Assistant attorney general blogs against gay student body president". CNN. 2010-09-30. http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/09/28/michigan.justice.blog/index.html. Retrieved 2010-09-29. 
  34. ^ "U-M's ban on Andrew Shirvell modified", Lori Higgins, Detroit Free Press, November 3, 2010
  35. ^ Jesse, David. University of Michigan student body president seeks restraining order against assistant state attorney general, AnnArbor.com, September 30, 2010
  36. ^ Assistant AG takes leave amid gay-bashing controversy, The Detroit News, October 1, 2010
  37. ^ "Cox rebukes worker whose blog slams gay student". The Detroit Free Press. http://www.freep.com/article/20100915/NEWS06/100915073/1001/rss01. Retrieved 2010-09-16. 
  38. ^ a b c d "Michigan assistant AG fired after targeting openly gay student leader". CNN.com. http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/11/08/michigan.asst.attorney.general/index.html?iref=storysearch. Retrieved 2010-11-08. 
  39. ^ "VOTE 2010: Mike Cox considers a run for Governor.". WZZM 13. November 6, 2008. http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_story.aspx?storyid=101112&catid=14. Retrieved November 8, 2008. 
  40. ^ Bell, Dawon (November 8, 2008). "DeVos rules out 2010 run for governor.". Detroit Free Press. http://www.freep.com/article/20081112/NEWS06/81112060/1008/NEWS. Retrieved November 8, 2008. [dead link]
  41. ^ Bell, Dawon (March 13, 2009). "GOP's field of 3 leads Cherry in 2010 governor race". Detroit Free Press. http://www.freep.com/article/20090313/NEWS15/90313043/. Retrieved April 12, 2009. [dead link]
  42. ^ "Mike Cox for Governor 2010". Mikecox2010.com. 2009-05-27. http://www.mikecox2010.com/press-releases/20090527.html. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  43. ^ 1871media.com. "Poll: Cox leads Michigan governor's race". LegalNewsline. http://www.legalnewsline.com/news/224291-poll-cox-leads-michigan-governors-race. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  44. ^ "Republicans Show Startling Strength in Race for Michigan Governor — Michael Barone". usnews.com. http://www.usnews.com/blogs/barone/2009/03/19/republicans-show-startling-strength-in-race-for-michigan-governor.html. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  45. ^ "Election 2010: Michigan Governor — Rasmussen Reports". Rasmussenreports.com. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_governor_elections/michigan/election_2010_michigan_governor. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  46. ^ "MI Gov Poll: Cox Takes Double-Digit Lead — Real Clear Politics – TIME.com". Realclearpolitics.blogs.time.com. 2009-09-25. http://realclearpolitics.blogs.time.com/2009/09/25/mi-gov-poll-cox-takes-double-digit-lead/. Retrieved 2010-03-04. 
  47. ^ AP photos (2010-08-04). "National media comments on primary election aggregated". Mlive.com. http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/08/national_media_on_michigan_gub.html. Retrieved 2010-10-07. 

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Jennifer Granholm		 Michigan Attorney General
2003–2011		 Succeeded by
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