“False accusations”: Michigan Rep. Friske responds to June 20 arrest

State Rep. Neil Friske, who has lived his entire life in Northern Michigan, blames “false allegations” for his arrest after police received a report of a possible sexual assault and possible shooting.

The Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives was arrested in Lansing around 2:45 a.m. Thursday after police were dispatched to the area on a report of shots fired, Lansing Police Department spokesman Jordan Gulkis told CBS News. During the initial investigation, officers also learned of the possible sexual assault of a woman, according to the CBS News report.

In a statement released on Monday, Friske protested his innocence and expressed confidence that he would be exonerated.

“As conservative Republicans, we are acutely aware of the media’s biased reporting of incidents involving us,” Friske said in the statement. “Despite their misrepresentations, I maintain my innocence. Due to the ongoing investigation, there are details I cannot disclose at this time.”

“What I can say is that the police were called and I was arrested on false charges,” he continued. “However, the initial investigation found no evidence to support the allegations and I was subsequently released without charge. I am confident that this investigation will completely exonerate me.”

The full statement can be found below.

Friske was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in November 2022. He represents the 107th district. The district is located in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula and includes all of Charlevoix and Emmet counties, as well as parts of Cheboygan, Chippewa, and Mackinac counties. He was born in Petoskey and lives in Charlevoix County. And he is seeking re-election.

At the time of this writing, no official charges have been filed against Friske.