Political watchdog Americans for Public Trust has raised concerns about Democratic congressional candidate Curtis Hertel Jr.’s alleged misuse of public funds and political connections to secure a lucrative job in the health care industry. Hertel, a former state legislator from Michigan, is running for Congress in the 7th Congressional District.
The watchdog group has asked the Michigan inspector general to investigate Hertel’s actions, claiming he misused taxpayer funds as a lobbyist for Governor Gretchen Whitmer by helping deliver millions to a health company that later employed him. Higher-ups in Whitmer’s administration have defended Hertel’s role in negotiating the budget and denied any wrongdoing.
Hertel’s connections to the health industry run deep, as his wife is the director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The letter from Americans for Public Trust also highlights Hertel’s quick transition from his role in the governor’s office to a well-paying job at the Greater Flint Health Coalition, where he was involved in facilitating contracts with the state government.
The watchdog group is calling for a thorough investigation into the ties between Hertel’s political work and his employment in the health care sector. While Hertel’s campaign did not initially respond to inquiries about the allegations, a campaign spokesman later defended Hertel’s decision to work for a nonprofit focused on improving the healthcare system. This situation sheds light on the challenges of navigating the intersection between public service and private interests.
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