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Case involving state reps includes abuse allegations

A legal case that has broiled up downstate has got a lot of people talking — on both sides of the Mackinac Bridge.

This unseemly matter involves a pair of state representatives, one a Democrat and the other a Republican, who were apparently involved in a personal relationship that allegedly went sideways.

The Associated Press reported that Rep. Mari Manoogian, a Birmingham Democrat in her second term, issued a statement Wednesday, one day after third-term Republican Rep. Steve Marino of Macomb County’s Harrison Township was removed from two state legislative panels, including one he chaired, for unknown reasons.

“The unfortunate reality is that many people in our society have experienced domestic abuse, which often comes from someone we would never expect,” Manoogian, 29, said. “None of us are immune to a volatile relationship, regardless of our career. It can happen right here in our legislature, where abuse of power and threats to ruin a colleague’s reputation, as well as threats of public shaming, can be used to intimidate fellow members of the legislature.”

AP noted that she did not specify what Marino, 32, allegedly did, nor whether the alleged abuse and threats were physical, verbal or written. A message seeking comment was left for Marino.

Both the Democratic and Republican leadership in the State House are, publicly at least, supporting Manoogian. The Michigan State Police are investigating.

We hope the cops get to the bottom of this one quickly. Domestic cases have a tendency to spin out of control very quickly.

We look forward to an early resolution.

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