GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY - Meijer is apologizing for funding a secret campaign to recall the elected government of Acme Township in Grand Traverse County.
The apology comes after an attorney hired by Meijer concludes the company "likely" violated election laws.
When they could not get zoning approval for a super store in Acme Township, Meijer secretly paid a Grand Rapids public relations firm to organize a recall election against the township trustees.
"It really makes me mad they did it," says Acme Township Clerk Dorothy Dunville. "It was hurtful."
It's illegal for corporations to secretly fund political campaigns. The Grand Traverse County Prosecutor is investigating based on evidence submitted by the Acme Township attorney.
"We evaluated the law on campaign finance, criminal conspiracy and perjury and we turned all of our information over to the office of the prosecutor," says attorney Chris Bzdok.
Even after paying a public relations firm tens of thousands of dollars, all of the Acme Township Trustees survived the recall election.
Meijer now faces sanctions from the Secretary of State or Grand Traverse County Prosecutor or both. Meijer still does not have a store in Acme Township.
Phil DawsonIn your voice
