Grand Traverse County Commissioner Rob Hentschel will not face criminal charges stemming from allegations of sexual assault that came to light last fall.
A statement from the Benzie County Prosecutor’s office, issued around 4 p.m. Friday, said “It is the position of the Benzie County Prosecutor that after a thorough investigation by the Michigan State Police, there is insufficient evidence to prove a crime took place beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Benzie County Prosecutor Sara Swanson was appointed special prosecutor in the case, since a conflict of interest existed in Grand Traverse County.
As a county commissioner, Hentschel is partly responsible for determining the Grand Traverse County prosecutor’s budget.
IPR called Swanson’s office moments after the news was delivered to reporters via email, and was told she was not in the office.
The accusations
In October, a woman filed a complaint with the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office, alleging that Hentschel and another person forcibly committed sex acts on her.
At the time, Hentschel was running for re-election to the Grand Traverse County Commission.
The allegations did not come to light until December — more than a month after the election, which Hentschel narrowly won by 125 votes. They were first reported by UpNorthLive.
Protesters gathered outside a December commission meeting and called for Hentschel’s resignation.
Hentschel vigorously denied the accusations throughout the months of investigation.
In a statement issued Monday, April 7, Hentschel said he was "relieved by the prosecutor's decision, confirming what I have asserted from the beginning: I am innocent of these allegations."
Prior allegations
This is not the first time Hentschel’s personal life and conduct have been in the news.
In 2020, his then-wife Andrea Hentschel petitioned the court for a personal protection order.
The protection order was not granted, and Rob and Andrea Hentschel finalized their divorce in 2021.
The following year, about 450 people signed a petition demanding Hentschel’s resignation when Andrea Hentschel’s allegations were made public.
Editor's note: This story was originally published on Friday, April 4. It was updated on Monday, April 7 after Commissioner Rob Hentschel issued a statement. That statement reads in full:
"I am relieved by the prosecutor's decision, confirming what I have asserted from the beginning: I am innocent of these allegations. I appreciate the thorough investigation by the Michigan State Police, the professionalism of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's Office, and the thoughtful consideration given by both Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg and Benzie County Prosecutor Sara Swanson. I also want to thank Grand Traverse County Sheriff Mike Shea’s Office for its transparency and commitment to integrity throughout this process. I am deeply grateful for the support from my family and community during this challenging time and look forward to continuing my service to the residents of County Commission District 5 – and all the residents of Grand Traverse County."
