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House Committee Subpoenas Former Whitmer Health Chief

House TV
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Michigan House of Representatives
Then-Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon testifies before a legislative committee in Lansing, Mich., Thursday, August 13, 2020.

The state House Oversight Committee approved a subpoena Thursday to require former state health department director Robert Gordon to testify.

Republicans have questions on the use of confidentiality agreements when Governor Gretchen Whitmer and top administration officials parted ways. Also whether Gordon differed with Whitmer’s decisions on the state’s COVID-19 response.

Representative Steve Johnson (R-Wayland) is the oversight committee chair. He said the committee’s been looking into the Whitmer administration’s use of confidentiality deals. “And now we are to the point where I would like to move forward with issuing a subpoena,” he said.

The committee vote was party-line – six Republicans voted “yes” and three Democrats “no.”

Attorney Kenneth Baer says Gordon will show up.

“While Robert strongly believes that public officials should be able to receive confidential advice from their senior leaders, he will, of course, honor this subpoena and testify,” said Baer.

The committee is scheduled to hear Gordon’s testimony on Thursday of next week either in person or online.

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.
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