LANSING, Mich. (AP) – Detroit Sen. Virgil Smith has agreed to resign after beginning a 10-month sentence in the Wayne County Jail this week stemming from a shooting incident involving his ex-wife.
Amber McCann, a spokeswoman for Republican Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof, confirmed Smith’s resignation on Thursday, after he submitted his letter to the Secretary of the Senate’s office.
Smith was charged with a felony for shooting his ex-wife’s vehicle during a dispute at his home.
McCann says Meekhof would have begun the expulsion process if Smith had not resigned voluntarily, but says the Democrat had previously informed Meekhof of his intent to resign.
McCann says Smith’s resignation is effective April 12, which means he’ll still collect one state pay check while jailed.
