BY ANA JONES
CCN Staff Writer
KENT COUNTY (CCN) — A stunning indictment came down Wednesday (Jan. 28, 2026) as Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Charlie LeDuff was doing his weekly podcast heard by more than 50,000 listeners across Michigan.
LeDuff's three-year fight for justice culminated with a criminal indictment by a prosecutor in Kent
BY ANA JONES
CCN Staff Writer
KENT COUNTY (CCN) — A stunning indictment came down Wednesday (Jan. 28, 2026) as Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Charlie LeDuff was doing his weekly podcast heard by more than 50,000 listeners across Michigan.
LeDuff's three-year fight for justice culminated with a criminal indictment by a prosecutor in Kent County. It came months after Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel ignored an embezzlement case involving an elderly woman against a former State Democrat Party official, Tracy Kornack who served in a high-profile position as the Treasurer.
She's described by journalist LeDuff and GOP politicians in Lansing as a close friend of both AG Nessel and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, both fellow Democrats.
Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker's office notified LeDuff during Wednesday's filming of his podcast that he had authorized felony charges of embezzlement against a vulnerable adult.
Belmont attorney Kornak was not charged with any of the abuse allegations outlined in front of the State House Oversight Committee. Evidence from the AG's office was presented during a nearly three-hour hearing in mid-December.
Nessel had declined to prosecute the case.
LeDuff is the host of the No BS News Hour, an independent podcast based in Detroit.
He also works for an online publication known as The Michigan Enjoyer.
LeDuff is a Detroit area native who won a Pulitzer Prize at the New York Times, then returned home to work for the Detroit Free Pres s and Detroit News in addition to becoming an Emmy Award winning television reporter with Fox 2 Detroit.
He most recently left the Detroit News when fired in October 2023 as a columnist. The incident included an incident when AG Nessel was mentioned in a tweet by LeDuff who was promoting an upcoming Tuesday column. He used a vulgar, coded phrase aimed at her, saying, “See you next Tuesday” a backronym teens use for the word “c**t.”
LeDuff's attention on the alleged abuse and theft case landed it before the House State Oversight Committee in the state legislature, leading to the charges despite Nessel doing nothing to her friend who allegedly stole thousands of dollars from the late Rose Burd who she had authority over as a court-appointed guardian over her care and finances. The elderly woman's hand-written note to a probate court employee was described as “a cry for help” over her concerns that her guardian was mishandling her finances.
Jay DeBower, chairman of the state’s House Oversight Committee that investigated in mid-December why a conflict-of-interest involving Nessel was allowed to stand, has said Nessel belongs in prison for covering up her friend's criminal actions in the case.
Kornack even served on Nessel’s transition team when she was first elected to office.
Burd died in April 2025 and LeDuff now says justice for the family is a prison sentence for Kormack and prison for Nessel. When asked when he thought Nessel might be indicted, LeDuff told CCN, "Patience."
PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is a photo of journalist Charlie LeDuff.
BY MIKE KILLLBREATH
CCN Executive Editor
FLINT (CCN) — Flint's embattled 1st Ward City Councilman Leon El-Alamin will stand trial next year on alleged domestic assault charges on March 11. That was decided Tuesday (Dec. 23, 2025) by Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Khary Hanible.
Judge Hanible also denied a motion by El-Alamin to remove hi
BY MIKE KILLLBREATH
CCN Executive Editor
FLINT (CCN) — Flint's embattled 1st Ward City Councilman Leon El-Alamin will stand trial next year on alleged domestic assault charges on March 11. That was decided Tuesday (Dec. 23, 2025) by Genesee County Circuit Court Judge Khary Hanible.
Judge Hanible also denied a motion by El-Alamin to remove his tether after attorney Rolland Sizemore said restrictions are hurting his client's :ability to make a living."
Judge Hanible did rule that El-Alamin can return to the Mt. Morris Township house he owns. It's where the alleged assault took place and attorney Sizemore's filing for his client said his ex-girlfriend has not been there in weeks.
Multiple court filings by El-Alamin used the Mt. Morris Township address as his home.
If he lives there and not in the City of Flint, he's not only ineligible of serving on the city council — he is guilty of a felony under state election laws for committing perjury on his application to get on the ballot earlier this year when winning a special election to fill the remainder of a term by the late Eric Mays. El-Alamin was appointed to replace Mays in March of last year after Mays passed away in February 2024.
Flint City Councilwoman Tonya Burns of the 5th Ward told The Daily Gazette that the alleged beating victim of El-Alamin said while hospitalized that said she had lived off and on at the Mt. Morris Township address for about 10 years.
It was her story to Mt. Morris Township police that led to Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton filing misdemeanor domestic violence charges against El-Alamin, along with a felony count for "Assault with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm Less Than Murder by Strangulation."
MCL 750.84 cites the more serious felony count as involving "intentionally impeding someone's breathing or blood flow by applying pressure to the neck/throat or blocking the nose/mouth, with the aim of causing substantial injury, short of murder." This charge elevates domestic violence or simple assault cases to potential significant prison time of up to 10 years legal experts tell The Daily Gazette that it's treated seriously, strictly due to the high risk of death or severe injury, even without visible marks.
The alleged victim in this case had serious marks indicating strangulation, according to Prosecutor Leyton.
Councilwoman Burns has also called into question why more than a million dollars in grant money has gone to El-Alamin since becoming a council member. She alleges that most of it has been steered to him through Mayor Sheldon Neeley and his supporters on the council.
In a social media post shortly after Judge Hanible ruled that El-Alamin can return to the house in Mt. Morris Township, she posted on Facebook: "Flint City Council members are required to live within our wards. The home he wants to return to is located in Mt., Morris Township that has been set on fire three times within a two-week period. "
Flint community activist Art Woodson has pointed out other funding discrepancies that he argues are "clear violations of the law" and is pushing for Councilman El-Alamin to be arrested. He went to Tuesday's (Dec. 23, 2025) hearing and made a social media post afterward that said: "Let's put the heat on him. i do not like an elected official that straight up lies."
Councilman El-Alamin has not issued any comments to The Daily Gazette since the July 10 incident when first exclusively reporting the incident before charges were handed down.
(See related story: Editor's Notebook opinion on troubled city councilman)
(Related story in today's Metro's Section)
PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Flint City Councilman Leon El-Alamin.
PREP SPORTS SECTION
METRO SECTION
Sheriff Swanson announces 6-count felony arrest in Vienna Twp road rage inc
PREP SPORTS SECTION
METRO SECTION
Sheriff Swanson announces 6-count felony arrest in Vienna Twp road rage incident on I-75
Legendary figure at old Flint Central High School loses battle with cancer; Joe Eufinger was 80
LIFE STYLES SECTION
Interim Editor named for Flint online magazine featuring 'good stories' about county's biggest city
Columnist Marty Embry reveals new book about Flint's long and great athletic tradition
Hundreds in Flint Twp. join No King protest movement across America to oppose Donald Trump policies
VIEWPOINTS SECTION
Editor's Notebook by Mike Killbreath: Viral video of Flint city police officer stumbling out of back seat on morning after Christmas sad watch
George Moss On the Right: Moment to reflect how we take life for granted; death is more certain than life in this world
One of the Metro Flint regional area's all-time greats from rec hockey circles has passed away.
A story is in today's Sports Section as columnist Mike Killbreath remembers Flint Kearsley grad Matt Bisaha in today's Sports Section.
A popular long-time teacher and coach from the old Flint Central High School has passed away. Joe Eufinger, 80, was best known as head coach of the Indians. His coaching career was capped by induction into the Greater Flint Sports Hall of Fame and the Michigan High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame. A story is in today's Sports Section
A popular long-time teacher and coach from the old Flint Central High School has passed away. Joe Eufinger, 80, was best known as head coach of the Indians. His coaching career was capped by induction into the Greater Flint Sports Hall of Fame and the Michigan High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame. A story is in today's Sports Section as columnist Marty Embry remembers him in today's Sports Section.
SPORTS SECTION
Sports Thoughts Column by Mike Killbreath
Michigan basketball teamp prepares to host unbeaten Big 10 leader Nebraska
STATE NEWS
Oakland County businessman Perry Johnson plans to spend $8 million in 60
SPORTS SECTION
Sports Thoughts Column by Mike Killbreath
Michigan basketball teamp prepares to host unbeaten Big 10 leader Nebraska
STATE NEWS
Michigan legislators move closer to ban on cell phones during class in Michigan public schools
State legislators considering laws to change how jet fuel is produced and used in Michigan
New report by environmental officials offers roadmap for Michigan’s Great Lakes in 2026
NATION & WORLD
Arrest of ICE Supervisor in Cincinnati raises questions about vetting of its agents across USA
43 million student loan borrowers in default on notice about wage garnishments ahead for new year
Hemp farmers in Maine and across USA warn federal THC ban will wipe out their industry
Click to Hear Podcast
Click to Hear Podcast
Click to Hear Podcast
MFNT Radio is your number one source for local news headlines from around the Metro Flint regional area, around the state and around the world. We offer a mix of local and syndicated radio show hosts with 24/7 programming.
MFSP is dedicated to bringing you local sports talk and broadcasts from around the Metro Flint regional area, along with syndicated programs. Going live soon with 24/7 programming.
MNTR is your source for statewide news headlines as well as the latest on the national and world scenes, plus syndicated programs and top statewide voices. We also deliver top statewide sports broadcasts of high school and collegiate action. Going live soon with 24/7 programming.
We have been reporting the news in {city} for over 100 years. Our newspaper has gone through many changes, but our commitment to providing accurate and timely information has remained the same.
Our team of journalists and editors are dedicated to bringing you the latest news from {city} and beyond. With years of experience, we strive to deliver unbiased and informative reporting.
Our mission is to provide our readers with the most up-to-date news and information, while maintaining the highest standards of journalistic integrity. We believe in the importance of a free and open press, and strive to be a trusted source of information for our community.
