Reports: Nessel is shielding search warrant records

Attorney General Dana Nessel — a self-proclaimed transparency advocate — has fought the release of search warrant records in high-profile cases, Bridge Michigan and the Free Press report.

• And her office charged the news organizations $20,000 for public records that could shed light on how often she takes up the fight. They declined to pay.

Why it matters: Search warrants and their affidavits can provide information underlying a criminal investigation.

• Making the information public protects against law enforcement abuses and prevents searches from being carried out as scare tactics or harassment.

State of play: Nessel's office repeatedly sought secrecy orders in cases involving former House Speaker Lee Chatfield and the kidnapping plot against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

What they're saying: Disclosing law enforcement information to the public could jeopardize ongoing investigations, affect witness cooperation or lead to evidence destruction, a Nessel spokesperson told the news organizations.

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