MENOMINEE — Menominee County Prosecutor Jeffery T. Rogg has issued charges against a Wallace man running for the county’s open sheriff seat in connection with alleged violations of Michigan election law.

On April 6, a voter reported to the D/Sgt. Darrin Kudwa of the Menominee Police Department that Joseph John Grinsteiner, 41, of Wallace, was falsely designating himself as the incumbent sheriff in Menominee County. An investigation revealed Grinsteiner, who is running in the August 2020 primary, had a Facebook page titled “Sheriff Joe Grinsteiner,” which included photographs and videos featuring the slogan “Elect for Menominee County 2020, Sheriff Joe Grinsteiner.”

The complaint also alleged several waitresses at the American Legion Hall on First Street in Menominee were wearing t-shirts reading “Sheriff Joe Grinsteiner” in early April of this year.

In addition, the investigation revealed there is a large billboard in support of Grinsteiner’s campaign near the intersection of M-35 and US-41 that features the Michigan Sheriff’s Association logo. The design is registered and reserved for use only by Michigan county sheriff members in active law enforcement. The MSA is a 501(c)(3) not for profit corporation, and as such, does not endorse political candidates, and doing so would be a violation of IRS rules and regulations.

“Anyone who seeks a position enforcing the law must first observe it,” said Rogg in a press release. “The citizens of Menominee County deserve an election that is free of misleading falsehoods and nefarious influences … Such falsehoods rob our citizens of access to accurate information before they exercise their right to vote, and can have adverse long-term consequences for the sanctity of our elections.

Grinsteiner has been charged with three counts of False Designation of Incumbency. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Grinsteiner will be summoned to Menominee County District Court before District Judge Robert J. Jamo and arraigned at a date that has yet to be scheduled.