Overview
- Judge Kristen Simmons of Lansing’s 54-A District Court dismissed charges against 15 defendants in September 2025 for lack of proven criminal intent, after one of the original 16 secured dismissal through cooperation.
- Attorney General Dana Nessel ended the state prosecution and published a 110-page report that lays out accusations, evidence, and the reasoning for not appealing.
- Nessel maintained that the conduct was criminal and said the report preserves a public record even as the case concludes.
- The report describes the scheme as part of a conspiracy directed by President Donald Trump, citing Special Counsel Smith’s findings.
- Prosecutors believed an appeals court could side with them on the scope of forgery law, yet they assessed that proving intent would likely remain the key hurdle, and federal pardons Trump issued cover only federal exposure.