Retired lieutenant tells board to disclose who authored county investigation and licensing

During the first public comment period Michael Davidson (S13), a retired lieutenant from the Monroe County sheriff’s office and president of Davidson Investigation Court, asked the board for documentation showing who conducted and authorized a recent county-funded investigation.

Davidson said his review identified that the county retained outside counsel who then hired "Mark Portello and Portello Associations based in California." He raised concerns that the firm and lead investigator do not appear to hold Michigan investigator licenses, which he said Michigan law requires for investigative activity performed in the state. "Was an investigation conducted in Michigan? If so, under what license or what authority did he conduct his investigation?" Davidson asked. He said the public deserves a notarized license number or documentation of a relationship with a licensed Michigan investigative agency.

Davidson also criticized the report for including allegations he described as unverified — including references to a so-called "group of four" senior officials — and questioned whether the board considered defamation liability before accepting and distributing the report. He said the investigation has already cost county taxpayers roughly $130,000 and asked whether there is a spending cap and whether legal retainers have been exceeded.

The board did not provide immediate documentation in the meeting record. Commissioners acknowledged the remarks; chair and other members confirmed the matter was under the purview of legal counsel and noted other legal processes ongoing.