For the past several months, many Hillsdale County residents have watched with concern as the leadership of the Hillsdale County Agricultural Society and members of the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office have engaged in actions that raise serious questions about transparency, accountability, and lawful governance.

As a dues-paying member of the Hillsdale County Agricultural Society, and as a citizen of this county who believes deeply in limited government, equal justice, and the rule of law, I have taken the step of filing a Formal Criminal Complaint and Request for Investigation with the Hillsdale County Prosecutor.

This is not a decision made lightly.
It is the result of multiple documented incidents including:

• The improper denial of membership to Hillsdale County residents
• Secret and unannounced meetings held behind closed doors
• A Fair Board meeting conducted inside the Sheriff’s Department, where members were denied entry and threatened with felony trespass
• The refusal to provide minutes and records that are required by law to be open to members
• The suppression of a lawful motion to remove the Fair Board President
• An Annual Meeting agenda intentionally structured to silence member participation

Each of these actions is troubling on its own.
Together, they reveal a pattern of misconduct and misuse of authority that cannot be ignored.

I have submitted a sworn complaint to the Prosecutor because no citizen in this county should ever be intimidated, silenced, or denied their lawful rights by those who hold public office.
The Fair belongs to the people.
Its governing Society belongs to the people.
And public officials — whether wearing a badge or holding a title — are not above the law.

The purpose of this complaint is simple:

To ensure that every official involved is held to the same standard that ordinary citizens are expected to follow.

The Prosecutor now has the responsibility to review the evidence, preserve the records, and take appropriate action to prevent further violations, including any that may occur at the upcoming Annual Membership Meeting on December 15.

I am publishing the full complaint below in the interest of transparency. The people of Hillsdale deserve to see the facts exactly as they were submitted, without spin, without rumor, and without secrecy. Sunshine is the best disinfectant, and transparency is the cornerstone of a free people.

If we want accountability in Hillsdale County — in our elections, our government, our law enforcement, and yes, even our Fair Board — then we must be willing to stand up, speak plainly, and insist on it.

I encourage every resident who cares about honest government and the future of our county to read the complaint in full.

Respectfully,
Lance Lashaway

FORMAL CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AND REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION

To the Hillsdale County Prosecutor

---

From:
Lance Lashaway
2631 E Camden
Camden, MI 49232
Phone: 517 425 1003
Email: Lashawayandsons@gmail.com

To:
Jamie Wisniewski
Hillsdale County Prosecutor
Hillsdale County Courthouse
29 N. Howell St.
Room 13
Hillsdale, MI 49242

Date: 12/13/2025

Re: Formal Criminal Complaint and Request for Investigation into Misconduct in Office, Abuse of Authority, and Statutory Violations relating to Hillsdale County Agricultural Society Officials and the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office

---

Dear Prosecutor Wisniewski,

I am a resident of Hillsdale County and a dues paying member of the Hillsdale County Agricultural Society, which operates the Hillsdale County Fair. I submit this formal criminal complaint and request that your office open an investigation into the conduct of certain officials connected to the Hillsdale County Agricultural Society and the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office.

As detailed below, the actions described appear to constitute misconduct in office, abuse of public authority, misuse of public resources, conspiracy to deprive members of their rights, and known violations of the Agricultural Society Act, the Michigan Nonprofit Corporation Act, and the Society’s governing documents.

I respectfully request that you treat this as a formal complaint that triggers your duty to evaluate and, if appropriate, investigate and prosecute.

---

I. Parties Involved

Hillsdale County Agricultural Society / Fair Board
The private nonprofit entity operating the Hillsdale County Fair.

Nathan Lambright – Fair Board President / Undersheriff
President of the Society and Undersheriff of Hillsdale County.

Scott Hodshire – Sheriff of Hillsdale County
Includes deputies and command staff who excluded members from Fair Board related meetings and threatened felony trespass.

Sabine Young – Hillsdale County Fair Manager / Recording Officer
Responsible for receiving motions, maintaining minutes, managing records, and administering membership.

---

II. Summary of Allegations

The conduct reported includes:

1. Withholding membership from Hillsdale County residents in violation of bylaws, Articles of Association, and state law.
2. Holding a Society-related meeting inside the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Department without notice and using deputies to exclude members and threaten felony trespass.
3. Holding a second secret meeting at the Fairgrounds without notice to members.
4. Suppressing a formally submitted, lawful motion to remove the Fair Board President.
5. Refusing to provide minutes and records required by law.
6. Structuring the Annual Membership Meeting agenda to deprive members of their rights.

All of this occurred after residents were unlawfully denied membership on 10/7/2025. Membership was reinstated only after the Board spoke with legal counsel, confirming the original refusal violated both bylaws and the Agricultural Society Act.

These actions show a pattern of misconduct and abuse of authority that harms citizens and undermines lawful governance.

---

III. Factual Background

To the best of my knowledge and belief, the following facts are true:

---

A. Withholding Membership

1. On 10/7/2025, residents of Hillsdale County were improperly denied membership by the Fair Manager.
2. This violated bylaws, the Articles of Association, and state law.
3. These denials prevented members from exercising statutory inspection rights, attending meetings, submitting motions, and participating in governance.
4. Membership was later reinstated only after the Board consulted legal counsel.

---

B. Secret Meeting at the Sheriff’s Department and Misuse of Authority

1. On 10/23/2025, a Society-related meeting was held inside the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Department.
2. No members were notified.
3. Members attempting to attend were denied entry.
4. Deputies stated it was a “closed-door meeting.”
5. Sheriff later threatened members with felony trespass.
6. The meeting involved Fair governance and was held inside a law enforcement facility under the authority of the Undersheriff, who is also the Fair Board President.

---

C. Second Secret Meeting

1. A second secret meeting was later held at the Fairgrounds.
2. No notice was provided and no minutes were posted or provided.

---

D. Suppression of a Lawful Removal Motion

1. On 11/13/2025, I submitted a written motion to remove the Fair Board President for cause.
2. The motion cited Article VI duties of loyalty, good faith, and lawful conduct.
3. It cited Robert’s Rules §62 and was submitted with proper previous notice.
4. Under bylaws and Robert’s Rules, the motion must be brought before the membership.
5. The President and Fair Manager have refused to place this motion on the agenda.

---

E. Unlawful Refusal to Provide Minutes and Records

1. On 11/20/2025, I submitted a written request for minutes, records, and policies.
2. The request cited statutory rights under Michigan law.
3. The Secretary is required to maintain and present minutes at each meeting.
4. I was told by the Fair Manager that members are “not allowed” to see minutes.
5. I served the Undersheriff with a copy of the demand at the Sheriff’s Department.
6. No minutes have been produced and no lawful justification has been given.

---

F. Annual Meeting Agenda Designed to Exclude Member Participation

1. The mailed agenda omits approval of agenda, member recognition, member comment, and new business.
2. These omissions prevent members from amending the agenda or introducing motions.
3. The structure appears intentional and designed to deprive members of statutory and bylaw rights.

---

IV. Legal Basis for Criminal Concern

The conduct described raises concerns including, but not limited to:

1. Misconduct in Office
2. Abuse of Public Office and Resources
3. Violations of the Agricultural Society Act and Nonprofit Corporation Act
4. Civil Rights and Equal Protection Violations

These facts warrant investigation.

---

V. Request for Action

I request that your office:

1. Open a criminal investigation.
2. Determine whether misconduct in office, abuse of authority, or conspiracy occurred.
3. Require production of all minutes and records required by law.
4. Refer the matter to the Attorney General if local conflicts exist.

---

VI. Evidence and Documentation

I will provide:

1. My record demand
2. The removal motion
3. The Annual Meeting agenda
4. Bylaws and governing documents
5. Witness statements
6. Video evidence and news reporting

---

VII. Notice of Duty

Under MCL 49.153 and 49.155, and your constitutional oath, you must evaluate credible allegations of criminal conduct, especially involving public officials.

---

VIII. Immediate Legal Duties Prior to the 12/15/2025 Meeting

Because additional violations may occur at the upcoming meeting, I request immediate action:

1. Instruct the Fair Board to comply with law and bylaws.
2. Order preservation of all records and communications.
3. Warn the Sheriff and Undersheriff that further intimidation or misuse of authority may constitute misconduct in office.
4. Issue an advisory directive ensuring no member is unlawfully removed, threatened, or silenced.
5. Refer oversight to the Attorney General if necessary.
6. Evaluate whether the structure of the meeting agenda constitutes an imminent violation and, if so, seek a judicial compliance order.

I am not requesting cancellation of the meeting. I am requesting lawful conduct and protection of member rights.

---

IX. Certification and Delivery

This complaint is being emailed on 12/11/2025 along with supporting documents.
It will be notarized and hand-delivered on 12/13/2025.

---

Sincerely,
Lance Lashaway

The Most Popular Fair on Earth and the Most Unaccountable Board in the County

For generations, the Hillsdale County Fair has been the pride of this community. It is the oldest fair in Michigan, the most storied, and proudly advertised as “The Most Popular Fair on Earth.”

But today, the institution that once stood for agriculture, community, and family values is being operated like a private club. It is a club where the rules apply only to the members and never to the leadership. It is a club where lawful motions disappear, required minutes are hidden, and individuals with government titles use their positions to intimidate and silence the very people the Fair exists to represent.

On December 15th at 6 in the evening, inside the 4H Dining Hall, the Fair Board intends to conduct its Annual Membership Meeting. The structure of that meeting openly violates its own bylaws, violates Michigan law, and violates every principle of representative and constitutional self governance.

It is time Hillsdale County saw exactly what is happening.

---

The Agenda That Reveals Exactly Who They Believe Is in Charge

The mailed agenda is not simply flawed. It is unlawful.

This agenda contains no place for the approval of the agenda.
No place for member comment.
No place for recognition of members.
No section for new business.
No opportunity for members to bring motions.
No structure for member participation of any kind.

The absence of an agenda approval vote is a direct violation of Robert’s Rules of Order, which the bylaws adopt as the parliamentary authority of the Society. Robert’s Rules requires the assembly, not the chair, to adopt the agenda. Until the members vote to adopt an agenda, it has no force at all.

The Board removed that vote for one reason. A board that must answer to its members is a board that must follow the rules. They chose the alternative.

The message they are sending is unmistakable.

“We wrote the agenda. We will run the meeting. You will sit quietly.”

That is incompatible with the traditions of this county and the principles of this Fair.

---

“Other Business” Is Not a Loophole. It Is a Smokescreen.

Item ten on the agenda is listed as “Other Business.”
This is not where serious governance occurs.

Under Robert’s Rules, the category of “Other Business” is not a substitute for “New Business.”
It is not where member motions belong.
It is not where motions with previous notice may be placed.
It is not where an officer removal motion can lawfully be buried.

The purpose of “Other Business” is simple. It is a catch all category for housekeeping, announcements, or small matters that require no debate and no vote.

Anything serious, including officer removal, bylaw changes, motions with proper notice, and any matter affecting the governance of the Society must appear under “New Business” or as its own listed item.

The Board did not forget to include this section. They removed it because they knew a lawful motion was coming.

---

The Motion They Attempted to Silence

A written motion to remove the Fair Board President was submitted weeks ago. It was submitted by a dues paying member in good standing. It was fully lawful and met every procedural requirement.

It cited Article Six of the bylaws.
It cited violations of the duty of loyalty.
It cited violations of the duty of good faith.
It cited acts of gross negligence.
It cited Robert’s Rules, section sixty two, which requires that any motion submitted with previous notice must be brought before the assembly at the next meeting.

This motion must appear on the agenda.
It must come before the membership.
It must be heard and debated.
It must receive a vote.

Instead, the President made it disappear by refusing to list it on the agenda.
This is not simply unethical. It is unlawful nonprofit governance.
It is the parliamentary equivalent of a politician throwing out the ballots before the election.

---

The Lawful Records Request They Refused to Honor

A dues paying member submitted a formal written request for the minutes of the past year’s meetings. The request sought board minutes, membership minutes, committee minutes, and the policies used to regulate booths, political displays, and vendor conduct. The request cited both the Agricultural Society Act and the Michigan Nonprofit Corporation Act.

The law is clear. These records must be open to inspection by members.
The bylaws are clear. The Secretary must present the minutes at every regular meeting.
The Articles of Association are clear. Members are entitled to all privileges and immunities of the Society.

Yet the Board’s response was simple.

“Members are not allowed to see minutes.”

That statement is false.
It is unlawful.
It violates state statute, the bylaws, and the governing documents of the Society.

When leadership hides minutes, it is because the minutes hide the truth.

---

V. The Secret Meeting and the Abuse of Public Authority

The most alarming development is the secret meeting held inside the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Department.
Members were never notified.
There was no public notice.
There were no minutes released.

Members who attempted to attend were denied entry and were told this was a closed door meeting. The Sheriff’s Office threatened lawful members of the Society with felony trespass for trying to attend a meeting concerning their own Fair.

This is not rumor.
This is not speculation.
This occurred.

A government facility was used to shield a private nonprofit meeting.
A government badge was used to block citizens from exercising their lawful rights as members.
Public authority was used to intimidate private citizens who were attempting to carry out the duties and responsibilities that the bylaws grant them.

This is the opposite of conservative governance.
Government is meant to be small, restrained, and subject to law.
Not weaponized to protect insiders and silence dissent.

---

This Pattern Is No Accident. It Is a System of Control.

Consider what the Board has done.

It hid the minutes.
It ignored a lawful demand for records.
It suppressed a removal motion submitted with proper notice.
It eliminated the agenda approval vote.
It removed member comment.
It removed recognition of members.
It removed new business entirely.
It held a secret, unannounced meeting inside a law enforcement building.
It allowed members to be threatened with felony charges for attempting to attend.
It structured the Annual Meeting to silence participation at every turn.

This is not leadership.
This is not stewardship.
It is control.

Entrenched political figures in Hillsdale County, many tied to the courthouse and the same political networks that resist transparency in other areas of government, are now treating the Fair as their property instead of the people’s institution.

When challenged, the response is always the same.
Stonewall.
Suppress.
Intimidate.
Delay.
Distract.
Deny.
Threaten.

Every conservative in this county has seen this pattern before.

---

The Fair Belongs to Hillsdale. It Is Time for the People to Reclaim It.

The Hillsdale County Fair was created by the people of this community. It was carried for generations by farmers, volunteers, families, 4H youth, and townspeople who believed this county deserved something special.

It does not belong to the Sheriff.
It does not belong to the Undersheriff.
It does not belong to a board that refuses accountability.
It does not belong to courthouse insiders.
It does not belong to any political establishment.

On December 15th at 6 in the evening, at the 4H Dining Hall, the people have a choice to make.

You can stay home and accept that the Fair will be ruled by those who silence its members.
Or you can show up and remind the Board who this Fair truly belongs to.

Bring your membership card.
Bring your friends.
Bring your voice.

The Board has created an agenda designed to give members no voice at all.
That is exactly why you must arrive determined to use one.

⭐ COMPLETE LIST OF ALL LAWS, BYLAWS, ARTICLES & GOVERNANCE RULES VIOLATED BY THE HILLSDale COUNTY FAIR BOARD

Below are violations broken into six categories for clarity.

---

I. VIOLATIONS OF THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY ACT OF 1855

1. MCL 453.232 — Recordkeeping & Member Inspection

Requires:

• Accurate minutes
• Accurate records of proceedings
• Records open to inspection by members
• Reasonable access to Society proceedings

Violations:

• Minutes withheld
• Records request ignored
• Secret meeting held with no notice
• No minutes produced for that meeting
• Blocking members from attending a Society-related meeting

2. MCL 453.224–453.225 — Meetings Must Be Conducted According to Adopted Rules & Open to Members

Agricultural societies must:

• Conduct meetings according to their bylaws and adopted rules
• Allow members to attend meetings of the Society

Violations:

• Meeting agenda violates bylaws
• Members excluded from meetings
• Secret meeting held in a law enforcement building
• Use of Sheriff’s Department to restrict attendance

---

II. VIOLATIONS OF THE MICHIGAN NONPROFIT CORPORATION ACT

1. MCL 450.2485 — Required Corporate Records

Nonprofits must maintain:

• Minutes of board meetings
• Minutes of membership meetings
• Records of actions taken
• Books and policies used in governance

Violations:

• Minutes withheld
• Committee and policy documents withheld
• Secret meeting with no minutes

2. MCL 450.2487 — Member’s Right to Inspect Records

Members have the right to inspect:

• Minutes
• Books
• Records
• Policies
• Actions of the board

Violations:

• Refusal to provide minutes
• Ignoring written request
• Pretending minutes are not accessible to members

3. MCL 450.2401–450.2403 — Membership Rights & Governance Structure

Nonprofits must:

• Allow members to exercise their legal rights
• Permit proper motions
• Conduct elections fairly
• Allow participation

Violations:

• Removal motion suppressed
• No mechanism for member motions in agenda
• No agenda approval by members

4. MCL 450.2541 — Duty of Good Faith & Lawful Conduct

Directors must:

• Act in good faith
• Follow bylaws
• Follow statutory law

Violations:

• Suppression of motions
• Concealment of required records
• Structuring meetings to silence members
• Ignoring lawful written demands

---

III. VIOLATIONS OF THE FAIR’S OWN ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

1. Article 4 — Rights of Members

Members shall be entitled to:

• “All privileges and immunities thereof.”

Violations:

• Members prevented from attending meetings
• Members threatened with felony trespass
• Members denied participation in Society business
• Members denied access to Society records

---

IV. VIOLATIONS OF HILLSDALE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY BYLAWS

These come directly from the bylaws you provided.

1. Secretary Duties — #16

Requires:

• Secretary to maintain minutes
• Secretary to review minutes annually
• Secretary to present minutes at each regular meeting

Violations:

• Minutes not presented
• Minutes not provided
• Records request ignored

2. Parliamentary Authority Clause

Bylaws require:

“Roberts Rules of Order shall govern unless inconsistent with these bylaws.”

Violations:

• Agenda does not follow Roberts Rules
• Motions with notice not placed on agenda
• No agenda adoption vote
• No recognition of member rights

3. Article VI — Duties of Officers

Officers lose liability protections if they:

• Act with intentional misconduct
• Act in bad faith
• Commit a knowing violation of law
• Act in a manner not in the best interest of the corporation

Violations:

• Secret meeting held out of view
• Sheriff’s Department used to intimidate members
• Minutes intentionally concealed
• Motion intentionally suppressed

4. Membership Governance Structure

Bylaws make clear:

• Members elect leadership
• Members govern through motions and votes
• Members must be allowed participation

Violations:

• Agenda removes all participation
• Motion to remove president prevented
• Entire meeting structured around silence

---

V. VIOLATIONS OF ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER (ADOPTED AUTHORITY)

1. RRONR §41–48: Agenda Must Be Adopted by the Body

The agenda is invalid unless approved by the membership.

Violation:

• No “Approval of Agenda” listed
• Chair attempting to impose agenda without adoption

2. RRONR §62 — Previous Notice Motions Must Be Heard

When a member submits a motion with previous notice, it must appear on the agenda.

Violation:

• President suppressed removal motion
• Motion illegally omitted

3. RRONR on Member Rights

Members must be:

• Recognized
• Allowed to make motions
• Allowed to debate
• Allowed to vote

Violations:

• No member recognition
• No new business section
• No mechanism for motions
• No opportunity to raise objections

4. RRONR on Executive Sessions

Executive sessions require:

• Notice
• Motion
• Vote
• Clear rules
• Belong to the assembly, not the chair

Violations:

• Secret meeting held without notice
• No vote to enter executive session
• Held off-site in a Sheriff’s building
• Members forcibly excluded

---

VI. VIOLATIONS INVOLVING THE SHERIFF & MISUSE OF GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY

1. Abuse of Public Office

Using a government building to conduct private nonprofit business is improper and may violate ethical standards.

2. Coercion / Intimidation of Members

Threatening felony trespass for attending a nonprofit meeting is improper.

3. Conflict of Interest

The Undersheriff (Fair Board President) benefitted directly from:

• Secret meeting in law enforcement facility
• Sheriff’s threat against members
• Suppressing oversight of his actions

4. Violation of Constitutional Rights

Members have:

• Freedom of association
• Right to participate in private civic organizations
• Protection against arbitrary government coercion

The Sheriff’s actions infringed upon these rights.

---

⭐ COMPLETE MASTER LIST OF ALL VIOLATIONS (SUMMARY)

Statutory Violations

• MCL 453.232
• MCL 453.224
• MCL 453.225
• MCL 450.2485
• MCL 450.2487
• MCL 450.2541
• MCL 450.2401–2403

Bylaw Violations

• Secretary Duty #16
• Article VI (Officers’ Duties & Removal grounds)
• Parliamentary Authority Section
• Entire membership governance structure

Articles of Association Violations

• Article 4 — Member rights violated

Robert’s Rules Violations

• Agenda not adopted
• Motion with notice suppressed
• Members not recognized
• No new business
• Illegal executive-style meeting
• Secret meeting without vote

Misuse of Public Authority

• Meeting held in Sheriff’s Department
• Members threatened with felony trespass
• Badge and building used to block governance
• Government used to protect private leadership

No organization run this unlawfully deserves to call itself “The Most Popular Fair on Earth.”
But with public action — it can become the most accountable.

in liberty,
The Hillsdale Conservatives
Vice Chair: Lance Lashaway