History of Dana Nessel in Timeline
"Dana Michelle Nessel is a prominent American politician and lawyer who is currently serving as the 54th Attorney General of Michigan, a position she has held since January 2019. As a member of the Democratic Party, she has made significant contributions to the legal and political landscape of the state."
1950: Abuse Allegations in Diocese of Marquette Date Back to 1950
Allegations of sexual abuse within the Diocese of Marquette, investigated by Dana Nessel's office, date back to 1950, indicating a long-standing issue within the diocese.
April 19, 1969: Dana Nessel is born
On April 19, 1969, Dana Michelle Nessel is born. She will go on to serve as the 54th Attorney General of Michigan.
1987: Nessel Graduates High School
Dana Nessel graduates from West Bloomfield High School in 1987. She is recognized for her athletic abilities in soccer, earning All-State honors.
1990: Nessel Earns Political Science Degree
In 1990, Dana Nessel receives her bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Michigan.
1994: Nessel Graduates Law School
Dana Nessel graduates from Wayne State University Law School in 1994, earning her Juris Doctor degree.
2005: Nessel Establishes Her Law Firm
Dana Nessel establishes her own legal firm, Nessel and Kessel Law, in 2005. The firm handles a variety of legal matters, including criminal defense, civil rights, family law, and general tort litigation.
March 2014: Michigan's Same-Sex Marriage Ban Struck Down
In March 2014, Judge Bernard Friedman struck down Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage in the DeBoer v. Snyder case.
2014: Nessel Successfully Argues for Same-Sex Marriage Recognition
In 2014, Dana Nessel successfully represents the plaintiffs in DeBoer v. Snyder, a case challenging Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage recognition. This case contributes to the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision, legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide.
July 2015: Nessel and Maguire Marry
Nessel and Alanna Maguire married in July 2015, officiated by Judge Bernard Friedman, who had struck down Michigan's same-sex marriage ban.
2016: Fair Michigan Founded to Combat LGBT Hate Crimes
Dana Nessel founds Fair Michigan in 2016. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to prosecuting hate crimes against the LGBT community.
November 6, 2018: Nessel's Campaign Statements on Flint Water Crisis
During her campaign for Michigan Attorney General, Nessel made a series of statements regarding the Flint Water Crisis and its investigation leading up to the election on November 6, 2018.
2018: Nessel Elected Michigan Attorney General
In 2018, Dana Nessel wins the Democratic nomination and the general election for Michigan Attorney General, defeating Republican candidate Tom Leonard. She succeeds term-limited Republican Bill Schuette.
2018: Legislation Passed to Replace Enbridge Line 5
In 2018, legislation was passed under Governor Rick Snyder to replace Enbridge Line 5 with a tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac.
2018: Klages Convicted, Later Cleared
Kathie Klages, MSU gymnastics coach during Nassar's tenure, was convicted of obstruction of justice in 2018 and sentenced to 90 days, but the Michigan Court of Appeals vacated the conviction in 2022.
January 1, 2019: Nessel Makes History as First Openly LGBTQ Statewide Elected Official in Michigan
On January 1, 2019, Dana Nessel makes history as the first openly LGBTQ person to be elected to a statewide office in Michigan when she is sworn in as Attorney General.
January 2019: Nessel Becomes Michigan Attorney General
Dana Nessel takes office as the 54th Attorney General of Michigan in January 2019.
February 2019: Nessel Criticizes Catholic Church's Handling of Abuse Allegations
During a news conference in February 2019, Dana Nessel accuses Catholic Church leadership of a lack of cooperation with law enforcement regarding sexual abuse investigations. She criticizes the Church for encouraging victims to sign confidential settlements and nondisclosure agreements.
March 2019: Nessel Declares Enbridge Line 5 Law Unconstitutional
Despite a judge upholding a law allowing Enbridge to replace Line 5, Nessel declared the law unconstitutional in March 2019, arguing its provisions exceeded its title, but a Michigan Court of Claims judge rejected her reasoning.
June 13, 2019: Nessel Dismisses Pending Flint Water Crisis Cases
On June 13, 2019, Nessel's office dismissed all pending criminal cases related to the Flint water crisis, citing concerns about prosecutorial overreach in the previous administration's investigation.
June 2019: Nessel Files Suit to Shut Down Enbridge Line 5
In June 2019, Nessel filed a lawsuit to shut down Enbridge Line 5, arguing it violates the public trust doctrine, constitutes a public nuisance, and violates the Michigan Environmental Protection Act.
December 2019: Nessel's Office Investigates Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Allegations
By December 2019, Dana Nessel's office receives 641 tips through its clergy abuse hotline as part of its investigation into sexual abuse allegations within the Catholic Church in Michigan. The investigation, inherited from her predecessor, identifies 270 priests accused of abuse.
December 2019: Nessel Sues Opioid Distributors
In December 2019, Nessel filed a lawsuit against opioid distributors, including Walgreens, Cardinal Health, McKesson, and AmerisourceBergen, alleging they fueled the opioid crisis by failing to monitor suspicious orders and report them.
2019: Nessel Advocates for Utility Customers, Saves Millions
Throughout 2019, Dana Nessel focuses on protecting consumers and ratepayers. Her interventions result in significant savings for Michigan utility ratepayers, totaling $355,809,700 by the end of the year.
2019: Nessel's Office at Impasse with MSU over Documents
In 2019, Nessel's office reached an impasse with MSU over their refusal to release over 6,000 documents related to the Larry Nassar scandal, claiming attorney-client privilege.
2019: Eleven Priests Charged with Sex Crimes Following Investigation
Following the investigation initiated in 2019, eleven priests are charged in Michigan with sex crimes.
January 2020: Nessel Sues PFAS Manufacturers
In January 2020, Nessel filed a lawsuit against seventeen companies, including 3M and DuPont, alleging they concealed the health and environmental risks of PFAS chemicals while selling them.
March 2020: Nessel Launches Campaign to Combat Illegal Robocalls
By March 2020, Dana Nessel initiates a statewide campaign to address illegal robocalls targeting Michigan residents. The campaign focuses on public education, stricter enforcement, and updates to state law.
October 2020: Nessel Releases Interim Report on Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Investigation
In October 2020, Dana Nessel releases an interim report from her office's two-year investigation into sexual abuse allegations within the Catholic Church in Michigan. The report accuses 454 priests of abusing 811 individuals across all seven dioceses in the state.
2020: Charges Against Simon Dismissed
In 2020, charges against Lou Anna Simon, MSU president during the Nassar investigation, were dismissed.
March 2021: Nessel Declines to Investigate COVID-19 Nursing Home Policy
In March 2021, Dana Nessel decides against opening a criminal investigation into the effects of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's policy on placing elderly COVID-19 positive patients in nursing homes with those who had not contracted the virus.
July 2021: Auditor General Reports Discrepancy in COVID-19 Death Counts in Long-Term Care Facilities
The Michigan Office of the Auditor General, in July 2021, reports a discrepancy in the state's data on COVID-19 deaths in long-term care facilities. The audit finds an underreporting of deaths by 42% up to July 2021.
2021: Supreme Court Upholds Affordable Care Act
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act (PPACA) in 2021, a lawsuit that Nessel joined in support of.
2021: Strampel's Convictions Upheld
In 2021, an appeals court upheld the convictions of William Strampel, former dean of MSU's College of Osteopathic Medicine, for misconduct in office and willful neglect of duty related to the Larry Nassar scandal.
2021: Case Removed to Federal Court
In 2021, Nessel's lawsuit to shut down Enbridge Line 5 was removed to federal court.
January 2022: Nessel Closes State Probe into Fake Electors, Asks DOJ to Investigate
In January 2022, Nessel closed her investigation into the Michigan participants in the Trump fake electors plot and requested the U.S. Justice Department to open a criminal investigation.
March 2022: State Settles with St. Vincent Adoption Agency
In March 2022, the state of Michigan agreed to pay $550,000 to St. Vincent adoption agency to cover legal fees after a judge ruled in their favor, allowing them to refuse to work with LGBT couples.
August 2022: Federal Judge Rules Case to be Heard in Federal Court
In August 2022, a federal judge ruled that Nessel's lawsuit to shut down Enbridge Line 5 would be heard in federal court after a dispute over jurisdiction.
October 2022: Nessel Publishes Report on Abuse Allegations in Diocese of Marquette
In October 2022, Dana Nessel's office releases a comprehensive report on sexual abuse allegations within the Diocese of Marquette, dating back to 1950. The report details allegations against 44 priests and is the first of seven planned diocese-specific reports.
2022: Appeals Court Upholds Dismissal of Charges Against Simon
Charges against Lou Anna Simon, MSU president during the Nassar investigation, were dismissed in 2020, and a Michigan Court of Appeals panel upheld the dismissal in 2022.
January 2023: Nessel Reopens Investigation into Fake Electors
Nessel reopened her investigation into the Michigan participants in the Trump fake electors plot in January 2023, citing uncertainty about the federal government's plans.
February 2023: Carpenter Makes Threats Against Jewish Government Officials
In February 2023, Jack Eugene Carpenter III posts threatening messages on social media directed at Jewish government officials in Michigan, including Dana Nessel. Carpenter's threats are made from Texas, and he states his intention to return to Michigan.
March 2, 2023: Nessel Targeted in Antisemitic Threats
On March 2, 2023, Dana Nessel reveals she was among several Jewish government officials targeted by antisemitic threats on social media. The threats were made by Jack Eugene Carpenter III, who is subsequently charged in federal court.
July 18, 2023: Nessel Charges Sixteen Individuals in Fake Electors Scheme
On July 18, 2023, Nessel announced charges against sixteen individuals for their roles in the Trump fake electors plot, alleging they signed a false certificate claiming to be Michigan's duly elected electors.
2023: MSU Board Votes Against Releasing Documents
In 2023, the MSU board of trustees voted against waiving privilege over the 6,000 documents related to the Larry Nassar scandal, which Nessel's office had been requesting.