Minority council appeals scathing ruling in Vinnie Johnson's Piston Group case

The minority certification council and its CEO who lost a legal fight with one of the world’s largest Black-owned automotive suppliers have moved to appeal the judge’s ruling.

Attorneys for the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council and CEO Michelle Robinson submitted a claim of appeal Tuesday in the Michigan Court of Appeals, according to a copy of the court records.

A Wayne County Circuit Court judge ruled late last month that the MMSDC and Robinson wrongfully stripped Piston Group of its minority certification in an apparent bid to “destroy” and “steal” the company. The court granted a permanent injunction against the MMSDC, allowing Piston Group to retain its minority business enterprise status.

Attorneys had until Tuesday to submit a claim of appeal. It was filed on behalf of the MMSDC by Butzel Long attorney Kurtis Wilder. A team of Honigman lawyers led by Robert Riley and Khalilah Spencer had represented the MMSDC in the Piston case.

Crain’s Detroit Business reached out to each of the attorneys for comment Wednesday. Piston Group declined to comment on the appeal.

In an email sent Wednesday from the MMSDC to its corporate members and minority business enterprises, Robinson denied any wrongdoing and said the judge’s ruling “contains multiple legal and factual errors."

“In deciding the Piston Group case, the trial court got many things wrong, and its adverse ruling could have serious consequences, not only for the MMSDC MBEs (minority business enterprises), but for all certifying bodies for minorities, women, veterans, etc.,” Robinson said in the letter. “There is great concern that the ruling could undermine the integrity of supplier diversity efforts nationwide.”

The claim of appeal — a bare-bones filing that preserves the right of the losing parties to develop an appeals case — represents another development in a bitter legal feud that has dragged on for more than three years. The appeals process is likely to take at least another year.

At stake in the fight was a lucrative minority certification that helped Detroit Piston star-turned-auto supply executive Johnson win business from automakers. Robinson claimed that although the Piston Group portfolio of companies was owned by Johnson, they were run by white men and therefore ineligible for certification.

Judge Annette Berry rejected that argument in a scathing decision that the Piston Group characterized as “vindication,” while the MMSDC “strongly” disagreed with the ruling and judge’s language.

The judge determined there was sufficient evidence that Robinson retaliated against Johnson after he declined her request for a $300,000 contribution to the council. The judge also gave considerable weight to testimony that Robinson colluded with others in a bid to “steal” Johnson’s company.

Robinson, in Wednesday’s letter, denied the claims.

“Unfortunately, uncorroborated, second-hand information from a Piston Group part-owner and board member was introduced at trial,” she said. “But the person who is the alleged source for this misinformation denies it and, of course, a quick rudimentary fact check of public records would have debunked it altogether.”

Since the stunning decision handed down from the court, Robinson remains at the helm of the MMSDC. Meanwhile, the automakers, which are corporate members of the council and many of which have representation on its board, have remained silent. Crain's requests for comment about the case and ruling to the Detroit automakers have been either declined or left unanswered.

The National Minority Supplier Development Council, which oversees the MMSDC and other regional affiliates, also has remained mum. The parent council has not responded to multiple requests for comment.