Treasurer Andy Dillon resigns after messy divorce, drinking

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Andy DillonState Treasurer Andy Dillon, who oversaw the appointment of emergency managers in numerous Michigan cities, has resigned following a messy divorce, alcohol problems and allegations that he sent racially charged text messages to his estranged wife.

Dillon announced his resignation today – five months after we first broke a story his personal problems, which included wild nights of drinking.

“It is with mixed emotions that I announce I have tendered my resignation to Gov. Snyder,” Dillon said in a statement released Friday afternoon. “It has become clear to me – as it likely is to most – that it is unfair to my family and the residents of Michigan, to allow issues related to my recent divorce and the unfortunate acrimony associated with it to be a continued source of media attention and scrutiny.

“My family deserves privacy and our residents deserve to know their State Treasurer is not distracted by such issues and events. For these personal and professional reasons, I have determined it is in the best interests of all that I resign.”

Earlier this year, Dillon checked into an addiction treatment center but stayed only a few days.

Gov. Rick Snyder’s office told us it was a personal issue.

“This is a personal, private health issue that the treasurer has addressed and we’re focused on moving forward,” Snyder’s spokeswoman Sara Wurfel told me.

In August, we revealed that Dillon sent his ex-wife racially charged texts aimed at her black boyfriend. He also was accused of domestic violence but charges were never filed because of a lack of evidence.

Snyder accepted Dillon’s resignation with “regret but understanding.”

“Andy has worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of Michigan, and we’re a stronger state because of his dedication, expertise and leadership,” the governor said in a release. “We all can be proud of everything that Michigan has accomplished during the past three years.”

In 2004, Dillon was first elected to the House. After winning re-election in 2006, his Democratic colleagues appointed hims to be the speaker of the House. Dillon even survived a recall election for his role in raising taxes and was re-elected in 2008.

Snyder, a Republican, shocked many Lansing insiders when he appointed Dillon, a Democrat, to the post.

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Steve Neavling

Steve Neavling lives and works in Detroit as an investigative journalist. His stories have uncovered corruption, led to arrests and reforms and prompted FBI investigations.