Mat King
Credibility Compromised
Brother of arrestee; did not recuse from matter (per court filings)
Overview
Background
Role in Key Incidents
Sheriff Mat King is the elected Sheriff of St. Clair County, Michigan. He is the brother of Marc King , who was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) on November 6, 2022.
November 2022 OWI Incident
When his brother was arrested for drunk driving, Sheriff King did not recuse himself from the matter. According to sworn testimony and documented evidence:
- Sheriff King was notified of his brother’s arrest the same day it occurred
- He contacted Matthew Pohl and Jim Spadafore regarding the incident
- No independent investigation was initiated
- No external agency was engaged to handle the matter
- The Sheriff maintained involvement despite the obvious familial conflict of interest
Governance Concerns
The Sheriff’s handling of his brother’s arrest raises serious questions about:
- Conflict of Interest: No recusal despite direct family relationship to the arrestee
- Command Interference: Direct involvement in a matter where he should have been recused
- Oversight Failure: No independent investigation mechanism was utilized
- Policy Gaps: No written policy requiring recusal in such circumstances
Deposition
Sheriff Mat King provided sworn testimony regarding these events. His deposition is available for review.
Credibility Assessment
| Factor | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Relationship to Arrestee | Brother |
| Evidence Handling | Unclear |
| Neutrality | Severely Compromised |
Incident Involvement
Notified of brother's arrest; failed to recuse from matter
Documented Concerns
- • No recusal despite direct family relationship
- • Department investigated his own brother
- • Federal judge denied qualified immunity
Election History
November 5, 2024
Sheriff
St. Clair County • General
Opponents
Mat King re-elected as Sheriff despite ongoing litigation (Jones v. St. Clair County) and accountability concerns. Warren Head, who lost the August primary by 2,856 votes, continued as a write-in candidate in the general election. Head had specifically cited the Jones lawsuit and concerns about departmental conduct as reasons for his candidacy.
This election occurred while federal litigation alleging First Amendment retaliation was pending against Sheriff King and other department officials.
August 6, 2024
Sheriff
St. Clair County • Primary
Opponents
Incumbent Sheriff Mat King defeated challenger Warren Head in the Republican primary. Head, the Yale Police Chief, cited concerns about departmental conduct and specifically referenced “the situation surrounding the lawsuit by former Sheriff’s Lieutenant Scott Jones” as motivation for his candidacy. No Democratic candidate filed for the position, making the primary effectively the general election.
November 3, 2020
Sheriff
St. Clair County • General
Mat King elected Sheriff of St. Clair County unopposed. No Democratic candidate ran for the position. King had served with the Sheriff’s Office since 1998, working his way up to the rank of Captain.
Following outgoing Sheriff Tim Donnellon’s early retirement on November 8, 2020 (to accept a position with the Michigan Gaming Control Board), King was appointed interim Sheriff by a panel consisting of Prosecutor Mike Wendling, Probate Judge Elwood Brown, and County Clerk Jay DeBoyer, per Michigan statute. His elected term officially began January 1, 2021.
August 4, 2020
Sheriff
St. Clair County • Primary
Mat King ran unopposed in the Republican primary after incumbent Sheriff Tim Donnellon announced he would not seek re-election. No Democratic candidates filed for the position.
Depositions
Credibility Assessment
Credibility Compromised
Failed to recuse despite direct family relationship with arrestee. Department he commands investigated his own brother's arrest.
Employment
- Department
- St. Clair County Sheriff's Office
- Start Date
- January 2020
Connections
Litigation
Case No. 2:24-cv-11965