Complaint Alleges Savit, Washtenaw County Violated MCFA

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 04/30/2026) Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit, the Democratic nominee for Attorney General, and Washtenaw County are alleged to have violated the Campaign Finance Act’s prohibition against using public resources for political purposes.

The complaint was filed by attorney and former Michigan Chamber of Commerce leader Robert “Bob” LaBrant, who claims Savit and the county violated Section 57 of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act – MCL 169.257 – by using his county-issued vehicle to “drive to events across the state seeking delegate support at the State Convention” held April 19.

LaBrant’s complaint, filed April 23, came after The Detroit News reported that Savit had used his county-provided gas card to fund his travel to and from campaign stops.

Savit’s campaign manager, Christy Jenson, told MIRS in an April 18 statement that The Detroit News article “omits important context,” notably that since before Savit’s tenure, Washtenaw County has “provided its elected prosecutor ‘unlimited personal use of a county-provided vehicle’ as part of the prosecutor's ‘compensatory’ package.”

The newspaper identified an estimated $4,644 in questionable expenses.

“. . . Upon reflection, Eli will be voluntarily reimbursing the county in the amount of any gas purchases he has made since he launched his campaign,” Jensen said. “Eli is doing so even though ‘unlimited’ use of a car for personal reasons is part of his compensation from the County.”

LaBrant said Savit’s agreement “may have been legal up to May 13, 2025,” when Savit announced his candidacy for the AG post.

“It is well established black letter law in Michigan that a public body cannot contract with an employee an employment agreement that has a provision in it that violates state law,” LaBrant said. “Such a contract would be rendered invalid, unenforceable, and void as against public policy.”

In June 2011, a 4-3 Michigan Supreme Court held in Michigan Education Association v. Secretary of State that the MCFA “prohibits a ‘public body’ from using public resources to make a ‘contribution or expenditure’ for political purposes.”

LaBrant said such a prohibition includes the use of county-owned vehicles.

Jenson acknowledged that the county policy – which predates Savit’s tenure – “likely did not contemplate the amount of personal travel” Savit has done as he’s campaigned for AG. Savit’s personal use of the car is classified as part of the “income” he receives from the county, and he tracks trips to classify them as personal or business and reports that to the county, Jensen said.

That benefit is included on his paycheck and W-2, and he pays taxes on that income, Jensen said.

LaBrant argues Savit’s decision to reimburse the money doesn’t address the fair market value of his use of the vehicle.

A violation of Section 57 is a misdemeanor and individuals face up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. For non-individuals, such as counties, the fines are the greater of $20,000 or the amount of the improper expenditure.