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MI Democrat Michael Sak temporarily leaves committee
Wood TV 8 Website ^ | Aug 18, 2007 | Associated Press

Posted on 08/18/2007 6:18:19 PM PDT by mombyprofession

Sak temporarily leaves committee

Updated: Aug 18, 2007 08:21 PM

DETROIT (AP) -- A state lawmaker announced Saturday that he will take a temporary leave of absence from one of the state's most powerful committees.

Rep. Michael Sak, a Grand Rapids Democrat and speaker pro tem, said in a statement that he will temporarily step aside from his position on the House Appropriations Committee.

Sak's decision comes after a Michigan State Police memo indicated that he appeared to be intoxicated when he demanded that a trooper give him a ride from a social gathering during last month's National Governors Association meeting.

"Our state faces many challenges. Rather than let this incident become a distraction during budget negotiations, I have decided to take a leave of absence from my position on the Appropriations Committee while I address personal issues with regards to drinking," Sak said in the statement.

He also apologized to his family, friends and constituents and pledged that a similar incident "will never happen again."

The announcement follows a letter from House Republican Leader Craig DeRoche and GOP Rep. Dan Acciavatti that was sent Thursday to Democratic House Speaker Andy Dillon, asking for Sak's immediate removal from the House Appropriations Committee.

According to a state police memorandum, Sak's demand for a ride came during the convention and was part of an evening of bizarre behavior by the western Michigan legislator.

The memo indicated that Sak left the Grand Traverse Hotel July 20, carrying a glass of what appeared to be beer, walked to a sport utility vehicle, opened the front passenger door, then asked a trooper if it was all right to get into the vehicle.

When the trooper told Sak he was not leaving his assigned post, Sak laughed, got into the vehicle and left the area, the memo said.

Later, Sak approached the trooper again, "obviously very intoxicated," and demanded a ride, the memo stated.

After the trooper declined the request, Sak identified himself as a "Democratic state representative in charge of appropriations" and claimed he was responsible for saving the jobs of state troopers who were facing possible layoffs.

The trooper tried to delay the lawmaker after learning that hotel officials had hailed him a cab, the memo said.

The trooper, who was not identified in the memo, did not file a police report and no charges were filed against Sak.

Sak is a member of the House Appropriations Committee but is not the chairman. The state, through the committee, accepted a donation of nearly $400,000 from the Michigan Troopers Association in April to keep the state from laying off 29 troopers.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Government; US: Michigan
KEYWORDS: legislator; michigan
Look at the heading- it makes it sound like he's just taking a vacation. Had this been a Republican, they would've crucified him with the title of the story.

I've personally met this guy and I'm not surprised about this at all.

1 posted on 08/18/2007 6:18:24 PM PDT by mombyprofession
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To: mombyprofession

Intoxicated, appropriations committee - Spending taxpayers money like a drunken sailor.


2 posted on 08/18/2007 6:22:10 PM PDT by johniegrad
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To: mombyprofession

The proper name for the facilty is The Grand Traverse Resort, it’s an Indian casino/hotel complex. Booze all over the place...but not allowed outside.Unless, I guess, one is a Democrat and on some fancy schmanzy committee.

Jenny Jenny, who can I turn to
When I just wanna send you home?
Canada won’t have you back now
Maybe you could cruise on a garbage scow?

Oh, p.s. Take my governor, please!


3 posted on 08/18/2007 6:29:51 PM PDT by blu (All grammar and punctuation rules are *OFF* for the "24" thread.)
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To: All

Amazing for the AP - new style guide?

The word “Democrat” made it into the second line....


4 posted on 08/18/2007 6:35:30 PM PDT by az_gila (AZ - need less democrats)
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To: johniegrad

sure glad i joined the air force.


5 posted on 08/18/2007 7:35:54 PM PDT by camas
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To: mombyprofession

After I stopped laughing about it, I was able to work up some sympathy for him.

He made a mistake, for sure, but at least he had enough sense not to drive drunk. He looked for a ride. It’s not as if he got drunk, drove his car off a bridge, and left his passenger for dead, like one sainted Democrat.

He’s getting a humility lesson that he could have used about 35 years ago.


6 posted on 08/19/2007 4:10:39 PM PDT by Tazlo (I need to get a tagline)
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To: Tazlo

He did drive drunk. He got into his vehicle and left the area.


7 posted on 08/19/2007 5:25:21 PM PDT by mombyprofession
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