The Detroit Freep’s M.L. Elrick’s Connection to BriggsColegrove PC

Detroit Free Press columnist Michael “M.L.” Elrick graduated from Grosse Pointe South High School with attorney Sarah W. Colegrove in 1985 and later became her next door neighbor on E. Outer Drive. Elrick, who refers to himself as a “watchdog,” targeted Todd E. Briggs’ judicial opponent in 2024 by falsely accusing him of being a “women beater.” And when Colegrove announced her campaign for Wayne County Probate judge in January, Elrick issued another hit piece falsely accusing the hiring of a court employee based on his affiliation to Hubbard. Elrick’s hit piece even defended Colegrove’s attorney who entered a courthouse with a loaded gun on the same day a motion to dismiss his frivolous lawsuit against Hubbard was heard and dismissed.

When Susan Hubbard contacted the Detroit Free Press to respond to Elrick’s false reports and to inquire why he wasn’t covering the excessive fee petitions and prohibited ex parte conduct of BriggsColegrove PC, they simply ignored her just as they’ve chosen to ignore reporting on the systemic corruption at Wayne County Probate Court.

Connections That Raise Questions

Elrick’s fake hit stories reveal troubling connections with individuals at the center of probate court controversies — attorneys Sarah W. Colegrove (a candidate for probate judge) and Todd E. Briggs (now a probate judge.) When the journalist covering a story has undisclosed connections to the subjects of that story — connections dating back decades — the public deserves to know.

Fair journalism requires transparency about potential conflicts of interest. When a reporter’s stories target reformers while sparing insiders, the public should ask: who benefits from this coverage?

Ethical Obligations

Journalists have a core ethical obligation to report the truth, act independently, and minimize harm, ensuring public trust through accuracy, transparency, and accountability. The Detroit Free Press should investigate why M.L. Elrick failed to disclose his personal connections to BriggsColegrove before attacking their challengers. Elrick, whose contract with Fox 2 was not renewed and who Detroiters voted against for City Council, had an ethical duty to disclose any conflicts of interest before running his smear campaign.

What Families Deserve

Wayne County families navigating the probate system deserve:

  • Honest reporting on how the court operates and who profits from its practices.
  • Disclosure of conflicts when journalists have personal connections to their subjects.
  • Investigative journalism that follows the money in court appointments and fee approvals.
  • Coverage that centers on families — the real stakeholders — not the attorneys and judges who benefit from the status quo.

Contact the campaign with tips or information about probate court practices.