Democratic lawmaker accuses House Speaker of retaliation over Epstein probe
Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou says she lost committee posts after demanding vote on Jeffrey Epstein-Interlochen investigation.
LANSING, MICHIGAN — A Democratic state representative accused House Speaker Matt Hall of removing her from all committee assignments after she pushed for an investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s ties to a northern Michigan arts school.
Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing) said Hall (R-Richland Township) took her off the House Oversight Committee, the Public Health and Food Security Oversight Subcommittee, and her role as minority vice chair of the State & Local Assistance Programs Oversight Subcommittee following her press conference Tuesday advocating for her House Resolution 284.
The resolution aims to create a select committee to investigate connections between Epstein and the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Grand Traverse County. Tsernoglou organized the press conference with fellow Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Reggie Miller (D-Van Buren Township), to urge Republican leadership to bring the measure to a vote.
Bipartisan Support for Investigation
House Resolution 284 has support from House Democrats and three Republican representatives: Jaime Greene of Richmond, William Bruck of Erie Township, and Brad Paquette of Niles. The measure seeks to examine ties between the deceased financier and the prestigious arts academy.
In February, NPR released an investigation detailing Epstein’s connections to Interlochen, prompting calls for further scrutiny. The arts center has faced questions about its association with Epstein, who was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor and later died in federal custody while facing sex trafficking charges.
Committee Assignments Removed
Tsernoglou said her committee positions were removed shortly after her public criticism of Republican leadership’s handling of the resolution. She described the action as retaliation for addressing an issue involving child safety and institutional accountability.
The East Lansing lawmaker had served on multiple oversight panels, which allowed her to examine state programs and agencies. Her removal from these positions prevents her from participating in committee hearings and votes on legislation within those panels’ jurisdictions.
The resolution remains pending without a scheduled vote, despite its bipartisan support. Republican leadership has not announced plans to advance the measure or explained the rationale for removing Tsernoglou from her committee assignments.
Tsernoglou’s allegations underscore ongoing tensions between Democratic and Republican lawmakers over investigative priorities and the use of legislative powers. The dispute arises as questions persist about how institutions handled their relationships with Epstein before his legal troubles became public.
