ALPENA — A year after its existence became public knowledge, an investigation into former Alpena judge Michael Mack is still ongoing, but police continue to be mum on the details.

Mack, who was removed from the 26th Circuit Court’s docket a year ago today, came under police scrutiny a month before he was relieved of his court duties by Circuit Judge Benjamin Bolser. Mack was removed immediately after Bolser was appointed chief judge for the circuit by the Michigan Supreme Court.

Mack told The News on Friday that, to the best of his knowledge, police stopped investigating him months ago. He is currently representing clients as a defense attorney in Alpena.

“I have apologized to my family and colleagues for my unethical lapses and just simply wish to continue practicing law to help people,” Mack said.

He clarified that he was referencing unethical lapses regarding improper communication, though he did not provide any specifics.

At the time of Mack’s removal, police acknowledged Mack was under investigation by the Michigan State Police, although details of that investigation have never been publicly released.

The investigation is still open and being handled by the State Police, with legal support from the Attorney General’s Office, according to representatives of both agencies.

As of April 15, non-essential interviews were halted by the Attorney General’s Office in deference to the coronavirus pandemic, stalling the investigation, according to police reports.

One, or possibly two, more interviews related to the investigation are expected.

Mack announced his retirement at the time of his removal from the docket, effective Jan. 3. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed then-Alpena County prosecutor Ed Black to replace Mack. Black was elected to the seat earlier this month.

Heavily redacted police records obtained by The News in June provide a timeline of the investigation, which was launched in October 2019 after the Alpena Police Department and Alpena County Prosecutor’s Office voiced concern based on information divulged during an unrelated police investigation.

The Attorney General’s Office was drawn into the case in late October, and, just before Mack was removed from the bench, Black filed a complaint against Mack with the Judicial Tenure Commission.

That commission’s investigation into Mack was closed in March because of Mack’s resignation, according to police reports.

The Michigan Attorney Discipline Board does not publicly list any complaints against Mack. Pending investigations by that agency are usually kept confidential.

A team of MSP detectives from outside the Alpena area conducted multiple interviews related to the investigation — with the frequency of interviews slowed as the months progressed, according to police reports.

Some interview subjects came forward offering information, and at least one was a female inmate of the Alpena County Jail, according to the police records.

Police also issued warrants to extract and analyze information from electronic devices of interviewees.

Julie Riddle can be reached at 989-358-5693, jriddle@thealpenanews.com or on Twitter @jriddleX.