Michigan § 32.1139 - Complaint to commanding officer concerning wilful damage to, or wrongful taking of, property of person; convening board to investigate complaint; membership and powers of board; assessment, approval, and payment of damages.

If a complaint is made to a commanding officer that wilful damage has been done to the property of a person subject to this code or that his or her property has been wrongfully taken by 1 or more members of the state military forces, the commanding officer, subject to the rules as may be prescribed pursuant to this code, may convene a board to investigate the complaint. The board shall consist of from 1 to 3 officers and shall have for the purpose of the investigation power to summon witnesses and examine witnesses upon oath or affirmation, to receive depositions or other documentary evidence, and to assess the damages sustained against the responsible parties. The assessment of damages made by the board shall be subject to the approval of the commanding officer and the amount approved by the commanding officer shall be charged against the pay of the offender. The department of military affairs shall make payment to the injured party of damages assessed and approved.

If the offender cannot be ascertained, but the organization or detachment to which the offender belongs is known, the adjutant general may direct that the amount of damages assessed and approved to be paid to the injured party from the nonappropriated military fund of the unit of the state military forces to which the offender belonged at the time the tort was committed.