FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan
May 11, 2015
Contact: Sam Inglot, 616-916-0574, sam@progressmichigan.org
Domestic Violence Has No Place in the Michigan Senate
Sen. Virgil Smith should step down if allegations against him are true
DETROIT — If the allegations against him are true, Sen. Virgil Smith needs to resign from public office, Progress Michigan said today. Smith, who is in police custody, is reported to have told police that he shot a gun at his ex-wife’s car early Sunday morning and is being held on felony charges of aggravated assault with a gun and malicious destruction of property, according to the Detroit News.
“If these allegations against the Senator are true, he should resign immediately,” said Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan. “The right to due process is an important value shared by progressives and while the Senator is innocent until proven guilty, these extremely troubling allegations and legal proceedings will make it difficult at best for him to represent his constituents. Violence like this has no place in our society and anyone — especially elected officials — who engage in these inexcusable acts need to be held accountable.”
Michigan law does not require Smith to step down even if convicted of the multiple felonies he faces. If Smith were to step down, the Governor could call a special election to fill the seat.
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