LANSING, Mich. (Great Lakes News) – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is being sued.

The Mackinac Center Legal Foundation  filed a lawsuit on behalf of Detroit journalist Charlie LeDuff. He is seeking ages, dates of death, and whether the person became ill at a long-term care facility.

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The health department told LeDuff the information is exempt under the state’s public records law. LeDuff says he’s not seeking the names of the deceased so privacy concerns shouldn’t be raised as a defense.

The lawsuit comes of the heels of news that former MDHHS Director Robert Gordon received a $155,506 separation agreement when he resigned in January. It also included a clause forbidding him to talk about business during his time at MDHHS.

In addition, Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido has asked family members of deceased patients who died in nursing homes to come forward.