(CENTREVILLE) – The St. Joseph County Commission has still not received any word from State officials about removing Sheriff Mark Lillywhite from office.

Commissioners on September 1, 2023 sent a letter to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, seeking her assistance in removing Lillywhite from office. Whitmer forwarded a copy of the letter to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

County officials say they have heard from representatives in both Whitmer and Nessel’s offices who say the letter has been received. A spokesperson for Whitmer’s office says they turned the letter over to Nessel for her review.

The letter has been reviewed by Nessel’s office and the findings have been sent to the Office of the Governor.

The letter and additional documents detailed the events of February 26, 2023, when Lillywhite was arrested after he struck a vehicle from behind just south of Schoolcraft at 2:18 AM. Lillywhite was driving a County vehicle at close to 100 MPH without any lights on, and had a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit.

Lillywhite did plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of operating while intoxicated and was sentenced to one year probation.

The letter says the Commission has received numerous complaints from citizens regarding this issue and determined they have an obligation to act, and they are constrained in their options under Michigan law.