Lauren Flynn, a member of the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners, was arraigned this week on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Flynn pleaded not guilty to the charge, which arises from a July traffic stop. Legal proceedings are only now proceeding due to delays that stemmed from Flynn’s status as a Grand Traverse County official and resulting conflicts of interest for the county prosecutor's office.

Flynn is facing an “enhanced OWI” charge, for operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.17 percent or higher. That kind of drunk driving offense, sometimes referred to as a “high BAC” or “super drunk” charge in Michigan, is still a misdemeanor for first-time offenders, but does carry higher fines, longer driver’s license suspensions, and more potential jail time (up to 180 days) than lower-BAC offenses. Flynn has not previously been convicted of drunk driving.

Flynn was reportedly pulled over by a Michigan State Police officer in Grand Traverse County around 9:55pm on the evening of Friday, July 24. The officer initiated the traffic stop after observing “poor driving” on Flynn’s part. Field sobriety tests were administered, and Flynn consented to a blood test.

Flynn’s case was delayed due to the conflict of interest posed by her service as a county commissioner in Grand Traverse County. Notably, that role includes budgeting authority over the county prosecutor’s office. Because of that conflict, Antrim County Prosecuting Attorney Wilson Brott is serving as a special prosecutor on the case.

Similar handoffs (and similar delays) have occurred in the past when other members of the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners have been accused of committing crimes.

In 2024, when then-Board Vice Chair Brad Jewitt was arrested for engaging the services of a prostitute, County Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg referred the case to the office of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Nessel’s office subsequently brought charges, and Jewitt pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count in November of that year. Also in 2024, sexual assault allegations were levied against then-Board Chair Rob Hentschel. That case was referred to Benzie County Prosecutor Sara Swanson, who ultimately declined to pursue charges.

Jewitt lost his re-election bid in 2024, but Hentschel remains a member of the county board.

Flynn is also not the first Grand Traverse County commissioner arrested for drunk driving in recent years. In 2023, Commissioner Brian McAllister was arrested for operating while intoxicated in Grawn, his second drunk driving offense. A special prosecutor was appointed in that case, too. McAllister won re-election in November 2024 and is still on the board.

Flynn, a Democrat, was first elected to the Grand Traverse County Commission in 2022, defeating Republican Ellen Koenig. She was re-elected in 2024, beating Republican challenger Daniel G. Smith. Because of a 2021 change to Michigan state law, which shifted county commission terms from two years to four, Flynn’s current term lasts for another two years.