MICHIGAN ASSISTANT AG ANDREW SHIRVELL FIRED!

Andrew Shirvell

The Detroit News, NPR and other outlets are reporting today that lame duck Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, in  a brief meeting in Lansing, fired Assistant Michigan Attorney General Andrew Shirvell for conduct unbecoming a state worker, saying Shirvell's actions went beyond the protection of the First Amendment. (Oddly, that's not what Cox said before the elections.)

Shirvell had waged an internet crusade against Chris Armstrong, the gay president of the Michigan Student Association at the University of Michigan.

David Jesse of AnnArbor.com reported that Cox said, in a statement: "Mr. Shirvell repeatedly violated office policies, engaged in borderline stalking behavior, and inappropriately used state resources, our investigation showed."

Cox's investigation revealed that Shirvell, among other things, attempted to "out" Armstrong's friends as homosexual — including several who aren't — and, while at work, called Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office  (Armstrong's employer at the time) in an attempt to "slander Armstrong."

Cox also determined that Shirvell sometimes posted to his blog (while at work) attacks on Armstrong.

Shirvell's firing puts to rest speculation that Republican AG-elect Bill Schuette would keep Shirvell at his post.

Schuette has repeatedly refused to characterize Shirvell's behavior as unbecoming conduct that went beyond First Amendment protections.

Leyton had been sharply critical of Shirvell. "If I’m elected Michigan’s next attorney general, Andrew Shirvell and any other hatemonger in the attorney general’s office will be out the door the moment I take office,”  Leyton had said in a campaign press release. "Michigan taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay the salaries of bullies like Andrew Shirvell, and they won’t under my watch.”

“Bill Schuette is proving that he would provide the same weak excuse for leadership as our current attorney general,” said Leyton. “Michigan needs a watchdog attorney general who will stand up to bullies — not lapdogs like Bill Schuette, who is content to let bullies and stalkers continue collecting a government paycheck.”

Republican Schuette defeated Leyton 53-43% in last Tuesday's general election.

Shirvell recently got the University of Michigan to modify an order barring him from any U-M owned property by threatening to sue the university if the trespass order was not lifted.

He may now return to campus provided he has no physical or verbal contact with Chris Armstrong. He can't go anywhere he may reasonably expect Armstrong to be, except that he is allowed to go to U-M sporting events even if Armstrong also attends. If Shirvell disobeys the order he can be arrested and charged with trespassing.

Armstrong and his attorney, Deborah Gordon, have asked the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission to disbar Shirvell because they say he isn't fit to be licensed to practice law.

They also said they are considering other legal options.

In a statement, Gordon said "The next step must be a complete retraction of all the malicious lies and fabrications by Mr. Shirvell and a public apology to Chris Armstrong, his family and the others Mr. Shirvell has slandered.

"It is past time for Shirvell to realize that there are consequences for his reckless, outrageous statements and actions and that he is solely responsible for those consequences."