Meijer is asking the Michigan Supreme Court to block lawsuits against the retail giant filed by five local officials in Grand Traverse County's Acme Township.

The state Court of Appeals recently upheld a county judge's ruling allowing the township officials to sue Meijer. They claim the company harassed them during a squabble over a proposed superstore in the township.

An attorney for Meijer has filed a motion asking the Supreme Court for a stay while the justices consider an emergency appeal.

The local officials agreed to release Meijer from future litigation under a settlement last year. But that was before the company acknowledged illegally spending more than 100-thousand dollars to influence township elections.