Gotion sued Green Charter Township in U.S. District Court in March for allegedly breaching a development contract signed by the previous township board, which was recalled from office amid fierce public opposition to the company’s plans to construct the multi-billion dollar battery component plant to feed the electric vehicle industry.

As part of the case, Gotion requested private communications between local residents opposed to the project and township officials, but when GCT sought to depose Gotion President Chen Li, the company filed a “motion for protective order prohibiting the deposition.”

“Like many high-level officials of large companies, Chen Li, President of Gotion, Inc. (‘Gotion’), has had limited personal involvement in Gotion’s ongoing efforts to establish a battery component manufacturing plant and industrial park in Mecosta County,” the motion read. “As it relates to the formation of the Development Agreement, which is the subject of this dispute, Li’s sole involvement was signing the Development Agreement after it was negotiated by other Gotion employees who are responsible for the day-to-day operations.”

“It is clear that the Township’s true aim in deposing Li is to exploit his Chinese nationality for purposes unrelated to the legal substance of this litigation: the Township’s breach of the development agreement,” Gotion attorneys wrote to U.S. District Judge Jane Beckering.

Laurie Brock has held out selling her property to Gotion.  There has been a price.

Stopping the Chinese Advance on Rural Michigan

There will be carrots: promises of community investment, eye-popping offers for your land. Brock was once offered $22 million for her property. Enough money to move anywhere and retire in comfort.

There will also be sticks. Brock had a horse poisoned to death. She’s been investigated by the state agricultural department. Her real-estate practice was bombed with 1-star reviews. 

Mackinac Center Suing MEDC For Failure of Disclosure

If you recall, MEDC is the corporation that is empowered to distribute money on the behalf of the State of Michigan

Show Notes: Michigan Mission: Gotion in Motion

FOIA For Thee, Not For Me

 

https://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/news/mackinac-center-sues-economic-development-agency-over-alleged-foia-violations

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy and Michigan Rising Action sued the Michigan Economic Development Corporation Sept. 12, alleging a violation of the Freedom of Information Act.

Michigan Rising filed a records request in late May, asking for the economic development corporation’s communications with American Lidar Inc., a Michigan company linked to the Chinese Hesai Group. The state agency distributes taxpayer-funded subsidies.