Politics

Birmingham Rep. Mari Manoogian obtains restraining order against lawmaker she says abused her

September 18, 2021, 10:48 AM


Marino and Manoogian.

The plot thickens in the state House, where Rep. Mari Manoogian (Democrat-Birmingam) has obtained a personal protection order against Rep. Steve Marino (Republican-Harrison Township) after alleging he'd abused her in their romantic relationship.

According to the Free Press, the order bars Marino from being on "any property occupied by Manoogian," which could prevent him from being on the House floor with her.

"It's going to be an issue that needs to be worked out with the speaker and law enforcement," Kelly McClintock, a lawyer representing Manoogian, said in a Friday interview.

Earlier this week, Marino was stripped of his committee assignments as a result of the allegation. Manoogian indicated in a Wednesday statement that she had a "volatile relationship" with Marino and "threats" led to his removal as chairman of the House Commerce and Tourism Committee. He was also removed from the Local Government and Municipal Finance Committee.

House leaders at the time gave no explanation as to why he was removed. Michigan State Police said they were early into their investigation of the abuse allegation.

Marino denied the vague allegations in a statement Thursday:

"I will be clear: The insinuations made are nothing more than politically motivated character assassination that I am confident will conclude as a waste of the public's time. I look forward to fulfilling my duties and maintaining the trust I've worked so hard to build during my seven years in public office."

He said he and Manoogian broke up more than a year ago.



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