Michigan State Lawmaker Facing Sexual Assault Investigation: Friske Arrested in Lansing

A Republican state lawmaker from Michigan, Neil Friske, is currently embroiled in a sexual assault investigation following his arrest in Lansing. The incident unfolded in the early hours of Thursday morning, leading to potential felony charges requested by the Lansing Police Department against Friske.

The 62-year-old representative, who hails from parts of northern Michigan, is seeking re-election this year but has not yet officially responded to the unfolding situation. The Ingham County Prosecutor John J. Dewane’s office confirmed that an ongoing investigation is underway into the events that transpired late at night when authorities were summoned following reports of a man with a gun.

On Friday, Dewane’s office disclosed that the investigation also involves possible charges of sexual assault and assault against the lawmaker, in addition to a weapons offense. Despite the gravity of the accusations, Friske had not been formally charged by Friday afternoon.

Following his arrest around 2:45 a.m. on Thursday, Friske was promptly taken into custody by law enforcement. The area where the arrest occurred coincided with a property that Friske had acquired earlier in the year, according to property records.

Hours subsequent to Friske’s arrest, his campaign released a statement in his defense, highlighting his advocacy for Second Amendment rights. The campaign expressed suspicions surrounding the timing of the arrest, especially amidst the imminent release of absentee ballots for Michigan’s primary on August 6.

Within the political realm, Friske’s primary challenger, Parker Fairbairn, issued a statement on Friday asserting the lawmaker’s right to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty but criticized his legislative record as “abysmal and immoral.”

Friske’s involvement in the conservative Michigan House Freedom Caucus has seen him champion various bills, including ones aimed at restricting abortion access. His adversaries in the Democrat-led legislature, such as State Rep. Phil Skaggs, have demanded swift accountability from Friske, suggesting resignation if the assault allegations hold true.