A Michigan resident has formally requested a probe into allegations surrounding Gotion executives and former Green Charter Township officials.

As reported by Just the News, the letter urges an investigation into alleged conflicts of interest between former township officials and the China-linked Gotion battery company.

A complaint filed on September 30, 2024, with state and federal authorities marks the latest effort to challenge a controversial battery plant deal in Western Michigan. The complaint was submitted to the FBI's Detroit office, the U.S. Attorney's office, the Michigan attorney general, and the State Police.

The allegations involve an undisclosed property purchase, offers of a free trip to China, and campaign contributions connected to Gotion executives and former Green Charter Township board members.

Citizen-Led Efforts to Scrutinize Gotion Deal

The Michigan-China Economic and Security Review Group (MCESRG), which is working to inform and educate local residents about the proposed Gotion deal, shared the letter with Just the News.

This move is part of a larger citizen-led initiative that has already seen success in ousting the old Green Charter Township board over its support for the Gotion plant.

MCESRG Director and former Ambassador Joseph Cella provided context for the citizen action, stating:

The 'deal' with PRC-based and CCP-tied Gotion led by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, The Right Place, and Ferris State University, some in the Michigan Legislature, and others in local government has been corrupted from the outset.

Cella further emphasized the impact of the citizens' efforts, noting that they had begun "restoring the consent of the governed" through the recall and defeat of certain elected officials.

Allegations of Conflicts of Interest

The controversy surrounding the Gotion deal has intensified following recent court filings that detail alleged conflicts of interest involving former board trustees and Gotion executives.

These filings, part of a lawsuit by Gotion against Green Charter Township, claim that at least two former board members stood to receive financial benefits from Gotion while the company was seeking approval for its project.

Text messages included in the court documents reportedly show that a senior Gotion executive offered Jim Chapman, the then-supervisor of Green Charter Township, a trip to Hefei, China. Another former board trustee allegedly stood to benefit financially from the sale of land to Gotion for the plant and failed to disclose this conflict when voting to approve the preliminary development agreement.

Disputed Claims and Ongoing Controversy

In response to these allegations, Jim Chapman provided a statement to Just the News, saying:

I have never accepted any enticement of any kind from Gotion or any other group. Gotion considered a trip to see their plant for a group of local people. I was on the list but chose not to go. The trip never happened.

The Gotion battery plant deal, initially announced in September 2022, has faced significant local opposition due to concerns over environmental impacts, community disruption, and Gotion's ties to China and the Chinese Communist Party.

Recent revelations, including Gotion's admission in a Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) filing that it receives partial subsidies from the Chinese government, have further fueled these concerns.

The proposed plant's location, within 100 miles of Camp Grayling, a major National Guard training facility, has also raised security concerns. The Wall Street Journal has reported that Camp Grayling is used to train Taiwanese soldiers, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.

Why This Story Matters

This story highlights the intersection of local politics, international business, and national security concerns. It demonstrates how decisions made at the township level can have far-reaching implications for regional economic development and even national defense. The allegations of undisclosed conflicts of interest also underscore the importance of government transparency, especially when dealing with foreign investments in sensitive industries or locations.

Conclusion

The citizen's request for a bribery probe into the Gotion deal highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding Chinese investment in U.S. technology and manufacturing sectors. The allegations of conflicts of interest, coupled with concerns about national security and local environmental impact, have turned this battery plant project into a focal point of debate.

As state and federal authorities consider the request for investigation, the future of the Gotion plant in Western Michigan remains uncertain, with implications that extend beyond local politics to broader questions of economic development and national security.