In the summer of 2012, Wayne County sheriff's deputies executed a search warrant at the home of former Wayne County Sheriff Department Director of Jail Compliance Renee Newell. They seized her computer and cell phones. They did this because, according to the search warrant's attached affidavit, the deputies believed Newell may have authored an emailed document falsely accusing a top aide to Benny Napoleon of wrongdoing. The deputies were looking for evidence.
Problem is, according to WXYZ's Heath Catallo, it doesn't appear there was much evidence tying Newell to the malicious email. Even the department's own internet crimes investigator said there was no evidence connecting Newell and that the search warrant may have been inaccurate.
However, at the same time this was all taking place, Newell was suing Wayne County because she said she lost her job with the sheriff's department after blowing the whistle on wrongdoing within the department. And that's why Newell thinks deputies kicked in her door.
Napoleon denies there was anything improper or unethical about the search.
