LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – State Rep. Republican Neil Friske, the conservative firebrand from Charlevoix, Michigan, found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons early Thursday morning. Media reports surfaced detailing an incident involving Friske, a firearm, and a possible dancer from Déjà Vu gentlemen’s club in Lansing, which is reportedly close to his home.

Released from custody.

Friske was released from the Lansing police lockup late Friday morning according to the Detroit Free Press, while Ingham County prosecutors continue to investigate potential charges against him including an alleged assault, sexual assault and a a weapons-related offense.

Official statements and ongoing investigation.

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Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane said in a news release to the media on Friday, “The Lansing Police Department submitted a warrant request to our office on June 21, 2024, after a review of the initial investigation, I have asked the Lansing Police Department to continue their investigation. Our office will continue to work in coordination with law enforcement on this matter.”

The Lansing Police Department had previously confirmed that officers were dispatched to the 2100 block of Forest Road after a report of possible shots fired and that Friske, 62, was arrested for a “felony-level offense.”

Legal representation and defense.

Today, Paul Egan from the Detroit Free Press posted a video of Friske leaving Lansing police lock up with his attorney Edwar Zeineh saying that Friske wouldn’t have a comment today. Zeineh went on to say, “We’re going to let the process to work itself out. We’re going to conduct a very thorough, thorough investigation and make sure we turn over our findings to the Ingham County prosecutor’s office so they can make a very informed decision not to prosecute Representative Friske. This is a case that is getting our full attention to show actual innocence and we will work through that as diligently and ethical as possible.”

Earlier campaign response.

Friske’s campaign had put out a statement regarding the arrest on Thursday around noon on Facebook saying, “As many of us know, Rep Friske is always exercising his 2nd Amendment right. We do not have any details, besides what has the media sourced, oddly before anyone of us knew anything. It is highly suspect considering the timing of this situation: right before absentee ballots are released, day after an unknown phone number conducted polling on the 107 race between Rep. Friske and our opponent with deep-state ties.”

The campaign continued, “We ask everyone for prayers and to stay tuned from updates directly from this campaign or Representative Friske himself. Thank you for the outpouring of concern and unwavering support we have received this morning. Clearly, Rep. Friske is over the target in this race.”

Opponent’s response.

Friske’s primary opponent, Parker Fairbairn, also released a statement on Thursday saying, ““Our country is founded on the principle of being a Nation of laws. At the heart of that principle is the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, and Neil Friske deserves this status as much as the next person. I’m running against Neil because he has an abysmal and immoral voting record, and the families of the 107th District deserve better. Since going to Lansing, Neil has voted against nearly every pro-family and conservative value issue that he’s had the chance to vote on.”

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Fairbrian went on to say, “He voted against protecting spouses from marital rape, voted against making child marriage illegal, voted against tax cuts for Veterans – and just this past week, he voted against making it illegal to create AI “deep fake” pornography using the likeness of our daughters and wives. Neil deserves his time in court, and the people of the 107th District deserve better than Neil.”