VAN BUREN COUNTY, Mich. — A letter being shared on social media claims to show that businesses in Michigan can no longer require masks to be worn by customers following last week's ruling by the state Supreme Court. But according Van Buren County Clerk Suzie Roehm, whose name appears on the letter, she never wrote that note.
The letter appears to be a response to a FOIA request to the clerk's office for clarification on the ruling that made Governor Whitmer's state of emergency declaration unconstitutional.
The letter claims that all requirements and guidelines related to the pandemic are no longer in effect, and that businesses cannot deny people entry for not wearing a mask. It goes on to say that business owners still trying to enforce mask wearing could face fines or jail time.
The letter ends with Roehm's name and title.
However Roehm says she did not write it, and would never offer an interpretation of a legal ruling. She says this is an unauthorized use of the Van Buren County Clerk's office.
The situation is now under investigation by the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office.