Michigan Secretary of State Sued Over Hidden Gmail and SPLC Ties

The ex‑top prosecutor in Michigan and a local attorney have filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. They claim she used a private email account for official duties while campaigning for governor. The filing says the agency prevented viewing of records that could reveal the full scope of her secret communications.

Benson allegedly exchanged messages with the Southern Poverty Law Center while the group faces federal charges. The lawsuit alleges she kept state business off government servers, making it impossible for the public to see those exchanges. The agency blacked out the files without offering a reason and kept them hidden for weeks.

Michigan’s former chief law enforcement officer, Mike Cox, and attorney Kevin Kijewski asked the claims court to force the release of the documents. They also submitted twenty formal questions for Benson to answer by October 14. The inquiries ask whether the concealed address matches the Gmail, whether she corresponded with SPLC on that account, and whether she erased official matters after April.

Benson is the Democratic candidate for governor and has faced criticism for her management of the office. The lawsuit arrives shortly before ballot packets go out, with about a month and a half remaining until voting day. Observers view the lack of response from her team as an admission of guilt.