Lobbyists at a Michigan law firm registered as foreign agents on behalf of the Chinese electric vehicle batter company, Gotion, also funneled campaign cash to some of the state’s top Democrat politicians.
Monique Field-Foster, an attorney at the Lansing office of Warner Norcross + Judd and registered foreign agent for Gotion, donated to the campaigns of Democrat Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Whitmer’s sister Liz Gereghty, and U.S Senate hopeful Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich). Another attorney at the firm, Madelaine Lane, also contributed to Gov. Whitmer’s campaign. The law firm was hired to represent Gotion and perform tasks such as real estate acquisitions and attending public rezoning hearings.
The Gotion project in Mecosta County, Michigan – where the Chinese company says it will invest $2.4 billion in two production plants – has faced pushback from locals, former State Department officials, and Republicans who are concerned that the parent company – Gotion High-Tech – poses a national security risk.
The National Pulse previously reported that Gotion High-Tech’s corporate bylaws indicate that the company must carry out activities according to the Constitution of the Communist Party of China. The project has received support from Gov. Whitmer, who sees it as an economic development opportunity and a step towards becoming a global hub of mobility and electrification.
Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Rep. Elissa Slotkin signed a non-disclosure agreement regarding ongoing development projects in Michigan with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Slotkin’s agreement was updated to include “any potential Development Project identified as confidential” after the Gotion project was announced. Slotkin’s spokesperson denies her involvement in the Gotion project and states that she learned of it through press reports.
