MASON, MICH. (AP) -- The Democratic leader in Michigan's Senate is seeking a one-person grand jury to look into a fellow lawmaker's last-minute switch to the Republican Party.
Sen. Gretchen Whitmer filed a complaint Wednesday in Ingham County Circuit Court in Mason.
Rep. Roy Schmidt was a Grand Rapids Democrat who switched to the GOP just before the filing deadline for the Aug. 7 primary. He recruited his son's friend to be his Democratic opponent. Republican House Speaker Jase Bolger worked to have Schmidt make the switch.
Whitmer says in a release the case should be investigated further to "make a determination as to whether crimes were committed."
Republican Kent County Prosecutor William Forsyth said no criminal laws had been broken.
John Truscott, a spokesman for Schmidt, says Whitmer's complaint has no merit.
(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
