LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Two Michigan business owners unfairly targeted during Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s random COVID-19 mandates testified in Lansing on Wednesday.
COVID lockdowns are over but prosecutions are ongoing.
Business owners Marlena Hackney and Karl Manke shared their stories before the House Oversight Subcommittee on Weaponization of State Government.
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During the COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, Hakney and Manke faced prosecutions by Attorney General Dana Nessel for operating their businesses and violating the governor’s lockdown orders. The Michigan Supreme Court ruled Whitmer’s orders unconstitutional in Oct. 2020, but Whitmer ignored their ruling.
Hackney owns Marlena’s Bistro & Pizzeria in Holland and testified about her ongoing prosecution. Police arrested Hackney in March 2021 and charged her with violating the order since she kept her restaurant open. She spent five days in the Ingham County jail and was forced to pay a $15,000 fine.
“When I went to jail, they took my phone and they did a cavity search,” Hackney testified. “I was scared. They dressed me. They put me in a cell. It was cold. The heat was broke so I had a really cold room. I asked for help but they said they can’t help me.”
Internal emails from Attorney General Dana Nessel and her office show Nessel ordered Hackney’s arrest to prevent her from appearing on Fox News’ Tucker Carlson Tonight. Hackney said Nessel is still going after her.
“This is the definition of weaponization of state government,” said Rep. Angela Rigas (R-Caledonia) in response to Hackeny’s testimony. “You defied what we suspected was wrong.”
Fined for a comb.
The subcommittee also heard testimony from Karl Manke, owner of Karl Manke’s Barber & Beauty Shop in Owosso. Manke ignored Whitmer’s orders as well. He was charged and fined $1,500 twice after officials saw him on TV with a comb physically visible in his pocket.
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“It’s highly unusual to be fined $1,500 for a comb,” Rigas said. “You didn’t have an inspector come into your barbershop and make that inspection and fine you for having that comb in your pocket like they typically would do? They saw it on TV?”
“No, nobody came in to inspect it.” Manke replied.
Manke was also fined $3,000, twice, for his role in Operation Haircut. Rigas, who was not an elected official at that time, participated as well and was charged with a misdemeanor. The 2020 demonstration drew barbers and hairstylists statewide who performed haircuts in front of the Capitol in protest of the lockdown orders. Manke faced charges for appearing at that event one year later.
“Maybe it was when the health department finally decided what they were going to do. I was charged with violating health codes,” Manke said.
After voters flipped the Michigan House Republican in November 2024, the GOP formed the Weaponization of State Government subcommittee to expand oversight efforts.
