The University of Michigan wanted to crack down on Gaza protesters. Regents recruited the state attorney general

Revealed: in a highly unusual move, regents bypassed local prosecutors, believing Dana Nessel would be tougher on the student protesters

When the University of Michigan governing board this year asked the state's attorney general to bring charges against campus Gaza protesters, they tapped a political ally with whom some board members have extensive personal, financial or political connections, a Guardian investigation finds.

Frustrated by local prosecutors' unwillingness to crack down on most of the students arrested at the height of the pro-Palestinian encampments last spring, the regents executed a highly unusual move in recruiting Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel because she was more likely to file charges, three people with direct knowledge of the decision tell the Guardian.