How did the Michigan State Police go from executing a search warrant looking into the actions of Mike Duggan’s Chief of Staff Alexis Wiley in 2020 to hiring her as their public relations consultant in 2024?
Wiley, who currently serves as a Duggan gubernatorial campaign adviser, will receive more than $400,000 through 2027 from the Michigan State Police, long after the Democrat-turned-Independent’s campaign ends.
She’s being paid by MSP as a public relations consultant for “Campaign Development,” “Strategy Plan Development,” and “Ongoing Project Assistance.”
We may never know specifically which crisis Wiley was obtained for, but the Michigan State Police has had significant ongoing PR issues:
- In April 2024, one month before Wiley’s first payment, State Police D/Sgt. Brian Keely was charged with second-degree murder for hitting a fleeing suspect with his car. The charges have since been dismissed.
- A lawsuit was filed by Trooper Megan Moryc, alleging gender discrimination and subsequent termination under the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act. Moryc alleges she was denied promotions, excluded from meetings, and faced multiple unfounded charges that led to her termination from Michigan State Police stemming from 2020 sexual assault allegations and alleged subsequent retaliation.
- Earlier this summer, a survey of Michigan State Police troopers revealed 98% of the 75% of troopers responding have no confidence in the leadership of Col. James Brady and Lt. Col. Aimee Brimacombe. Brady has received calls to resign from unions and lawmakers.
- Michigan Republicans called on Whitmer to fire Grady and Brimacombe in the wake of scandals, “questionable promotions,” Grady’s response to a deadly chase, and Brimacombe’s misuse of a state vehicle.
- A $9.3 million settlement was awarded last month in coordination with Attorney General Dana Nessel. It stemmed from a botched investigation and allegations of sexual assault of a minor involving a Detroit police officer that caused serious damage to his reputation.
Mike Duggan’s recent campaign finance disclosures show payments to Moment Strategies totaling nearly $200,000 through October 2025. A previous Michigan Enjoyer investigation found Wiley is also under contract with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for “crisis communication.”
According to Wiley’s contracts with the MEDC, she was also retained to promote megasites and other economic development projects—which have failed to create jobs.
Wiley’s contract with Michigan State Police, while she works as a Mike Duggan campaign adviser, is especially troubling given her history with the agency.
In 2020, the Michigan State Police executed a search warrant for communication between Wiley and others, including Jocelyn Benson’s husband, Ryan Friedrichs, after an investigation found she ordered emails be deleted about controversial donations made to a nonprofit run by Duggan’s mistress (now wife), Sonia Hassan.
Nessel chose not to pursue the case against Wiley, who was not disciplined by Duggan and eventually resigned to launch Moment Strategies.
Anna Hoffman is a hockey mom of three living in Ann Arbor. Follow her on X @shoesonplease.
