Schor drops Louney nomination for BWL post

Citing campaign finance allegations, Lansing Mayor Andy Schor has withdrawn his reappointment nomination of Dennis Louney to the board of the Lansing Board of Water & Light.

Schor picked Louney in February to maintain his board post through 2021. But after Louney resigned from the Ingham County Board of Commissioners amid allegations of campaign finance violations, those nomination plans were withdrawn.

“Due the campaign finance allegations, I thought it would be pertinent to withdraw the appointment,” Schor said in a statement released Tuesday. “There were concerns about the allegations of breach of public trust, so I thought it would be best to reevaluate this appointment.”

After state officials announced an investigation into the alleged violations, Louney submitted his resignation as county commissioner on Aug. 14. His colleagues haven’t yet acted on the notice.

Two days later, Schor emailed the City Council to withdraw his plans to appoint Louney to BWL’s board.

County Clerk Barb Byrum said Louney used his taxpayer-funded email address to illegally solicit donations and endorsements, promote fundraisers and form campaign strategies ahead of the August primary election.

Schor didn’t say whom would he might select to fill the appointment initially intended for Louney at the Board of Water & Light.

“This whole thing could’ve reflected negatively on the board,” said BWL Chairman David Price.

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