FITZ APPOINTED CHAIR OF CRIME VICTIM SERVICES COMMISSION

By DEBRA HAIGHT

CASSOPOLIS – Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz has been appointed the chair of a state commission by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder. Fitz has been the Cass prosecutor since 2003 and just recently won re-election to a new four year term.
Fitz has been a member of the Crime Victim Services Commission and will now serve as the commission chairman with Snyder’s appointment. Snyder also appointed Annie Harrison of Lansing to the commission for a new term.
Harrison will serve a three-year term expiring Sept. 27, 2019 and Fitz will serve as chair expiring at the pleasure of the governor. Their appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
“Annie and Victor have extensive knowledge in this field and I am confident they will have a positive impact on this commission and assist numerous crime victims statewide,” Snyder said.
The Commission oversees the Crime Victim Compensation Program, which helps pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses, grief counseling, lost earnings, funeral bills and crime scene cleanup to eligible crime victims who may have suffered a physical injury. The commission also manages certain state and federal victim assistance grants.
Fitz is the president of the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan and has previously served as the legislative and corrections chairs for that organization. He has been appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court to the Attorney Grievance Commission.
Awards and honors he’s received include Michigan State Police Professional Excellence Award for a Cass County cold case murder conviction and a Citation for Professional Excellence for narcotics prosecutions.
In addition, he has previously received the Criminal Case of the Year Award from the United States Attorney’s Office, Western District of Michigan and Drug Enforcement Administration Award for Outstanding Contributions.
Before coming to Cass County, Fitz previously served in Muskegon, Tuscola and St. Clair Counties. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from Valparaiso University