Ex-Rep. Friske Will Not Face Charges Over '24 Incident

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 08/14/2026) The Attorney General’s office confirmed Friday that charges will not be issued against former state Rep. Neil Friske, who was arrested but released in 2024 after an alleged sexual assault.

AG Press Secretary Danny Wimmer said the department closed its investigation because, despite an “exhaustive” review, investigators did not uncover sufficient evidence to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was referred to the Attorney General after evidence indicated Friske allegedly engaged in similar conduct – including paying women for sex – on multiple occasions in jurisdictions stretching from Lansing to Northern Michigan, Wimmer said. Investigators also examined another allegation of sexual assault.

One of the women interviewed by investigators, Sierra Merrifield, told MIRS she is “not happy” with Attorney General Dana Nessel and intends to pursue other legal options.

“Shame on her,” said Merrifield, who asked that her name be used. “. . . I’m the only victim who is willing to testify, from what I know none of the others are willing to . . .

“I’m very disappointed with Dana. I will not stop trying to get justice for me or other survivors.”

In prior interviews, Friske has denied allegations he assaulted anyone, and today his attorney, Alexandria Taylor, reiterated that denial, telling MIRS that the false allegations have tarnished her client’s reputation.

“I think it’s a relief,” said Taylor after learning of the AG’s decision from MIRS. “Relief he can finally move on with his life, but that’s juxtaposed to the devastation it caused . . . It’s bitter-sweet.

The investigation began after Lansing police responded before 3 a.m. on June 20, 2024, for a “felon-level offense” when it was reported there was a “a male with a gun, as well as possible shots that were fired.”

Friske, a Charlevoix Republican who lost his seat in the Republican primary in 2024, allegedly chased an adult dancer out of his Lansing condo.

In a radio interview at the time, Friske denied firing a gun and claimed the report was “false accusations.”

Friske had also indicated in that interview that he was framed, and Taylor echoed that sentiment.

“The interesting timing of (the accusations) ultimately cost him the primary, which seemed to be the goal,” the attorney said.

According to a police report first reported by The Detroit News, the woman claimed the man went through her purse while she was showering, and they had a physical altercation when she confronted him. She told police that she was bent over the bed while trying to push away the man, who grabbed what she believed were scissors or a kitchen knife, the newspaper reported.

The woman told police that she fled the man’s home and took some of his property, including an office bag that contained office supplies, a computer and $4,000 cash, the Detroit News reported.

The newspaper reported the woman fled, and the man held up a firearm and ordered her to return his things.

At the time of his arrest, Lansing police requested a warrant on three charges – felony sexual assault, felony assault and felony weapons offense – but those charges were not authorized after Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane said he needed additional investigation.

AG Press Secretary Danny Wimmer said the case was referred to the Attorney General’s office when the evidence indicated Friske allegedly engaged in similar conduct, namely paying money for sex, on several occasions in multiple jurisdictions from Lansing into Northern Michigan, as well as another allegation of sexual assault.

“Our office can only proceed with criminal charges and prosecution when its prosecutors hold a reasonable belief that they will be able to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, the conduct alleged. Allegations such as those investigated here are often difficult to bring before a judge and jury,” he said.

Merrifield and the other woman, who asked not to be identified, told MIRS in a June 2024 interview that they have known Friske since they were children, years prior to his arrest.

Merrifield alleged Friske sexually assaulted her in January 2021 when she gave in to his repeated requests for a massage. She shared text messages in which she told a family member that she “tried to give Neil Friske a chance and massage him,” but he sexually assaulted her.

Merrifield said she considered reporting him at the time, but was concerned because “Friske is a huge family name” and she wasn’t sure she wanted to “go down that road.”

Merrifield said she chose to speak publicly after seeing media reports of his arrest.

“He’s kind of scared me all my life,” Merrifield said in the June 2024 interview. “There’s always been something about him that’s off. He traumatized me.”

The second woman shared similar sentiments about Friske, whom she says harassed her as a minor and sexually assaulted her when she was an adult.