Sen. Aric Nesbitt, chair of the Senate Republican Campaign Committee, today called on Democratic senate candidate Sue Shink to explain a troubling report that the Washtenaw County Commission she chairs provided taxpayer funds to a fraudulent organization founded by convicted felons. 

“Sue Shink must explain to voters why she thought it was appropriate to give an organization founded by a murderer and a sex offender more than $1 million and access to schools and school children,” said Nesbitt, R-Lawton. “The longer she refuses to answer questions about this, the more likely it seems she has something to hide.”  

The organization awarded the grant, Supreme Felons, Inc., was founded by Alan Fuqua and Billy Cole. According to Michigan Department of Corrections records, Fuqua was convicted of multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor in 2003. He was also convicted of assault in 1988. 

Cole was convicted of armed robbery and second-degree murder in 1976, receiving a life sentence. He was later convicted of assault with a deadly weapon in 1985. 

Shink and the commission awarded Supreme Felons Inc. a $1.2 million grant to mentor students in Ypsilanti Public Schools and the Washtenaw Intermediate School District, supposedly building on the group’s previous work for the districts. But the Ann Arbor Independent’s investigation found that Supreme Felons never conducted such services for the schools.

Shink refused to answer questions from the Ann Arbor Independent about the board’s decision. 

“Whether a county commissioner or state senator, an elected official has no greater responsibility than to protect our most vulnerable,” said Nesbitt. “If Sue Shink cannot explain why she gave this group founded by a murderer and a sex offender more than $1 million and access to school children, it should be disqualifying for any office she seeks.”