Politics & Government
Rep. Jewell Jones Turns Down GOP Leadership's Offer To Resume Committee Posts
This month, Jones was sentenced to two years probation and 100 hours of community service.
April 30, 2022
State Rep. Jewell Jones declined to resume his seat on three House committees this week after being offered them back by House Speaker Jason Wentworth.
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Wentworth (R-Clare) had stripped Jones of his assignments on three committees, including the Regulatory Reform and the Military, Veterans and Homeland Security committees, in September after Jones attempted to sneak a handcuff key into jail and committed his third bond violation related to his spring 2021 arrest.
With the court case resolved and Jones (D-Inkster) being sentenced earlier this month, Wentworth reportedly offered the 26-year-old lawmaker his committee assignments back. Jones declined.
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Jones’ office did not return a request for comment.
Wentworth spokesperson Gideon D’Assandro simply responded, “no,” when asked whether Jones offered an explanation.
Jones pleaded guilty in February to four misdemeanors and two felony counts stemming from an April 6, 2021 incident in which he drove into a ditch on Interstate 96 while intoxicated. While resisting arrest, Jones reportedly told Michigan State Police troopers that he would call Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and claimed he had control over their budget.
Over the next few months, Jones racked up three bond violations for tampering with his ankle monitor, testing positive for alcohol and leaving military training without notifying his attorney or court officials.
He had been a member of the Michigan National Guard since 2016 before announcing on Instagram in December that he was transitioning out.
Jones then allegedly attempted to sneak a handcuff key into jail by taping it to the bottom of his foot, resulting in Wentworth removing his committee assignments two days later.
This month, Jones was sentenced to two years probation and 100 hours of community service.
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