LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, on Tuesday released the following statement after sending a formal letter to the Supreme Court Administrative Office demanding immediate policy changes to address allegations of fraud upon the court:

“Michigan litigants are being denied their constitutional right to confront fraud in our courtrooms. When someone alleges that fraud has been perpetrated upon a court, there is no clear procedure to investigate these serious claims. Cases move forward as if nothing happened, and honest parties are left without recourse. This is unacceptable.

“The current system is a betrayal of justice and judicial integrity. Parties deserve a fair process to present evidence when they believe the court has been deceived. Our courts should be bastions of truth, not venues where fraud allegations are swept under the rug because there’s no procedure to address them.

“I have formally requested that the Supreme Court Administrative Office adopt an internal policy to immediately stay proceedings when fraud is alleged, mandate discovery on the fraud issue, and hold evidentiary hearings so courts can make proper findings of fact. This isn’t radical; it’s basic due process.

“SCAO has the authority to fix this problem immediately through administrative action. I’m giving them the opportunity to do the right thing before legislative solutions are pursued. Justice delayed is justice denied, and Michigan litigants deserve better.”

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