Conservative activitist John Howting, a former staffer for U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Livonia), made national news last week when he was revealed as an undercover sleuth attempting to discredit a liberal organization.

The New York Times reported Howting walked into a community organizing officer in East Harlem, stated his name was Melvin Howting and asked about organizing a union and earning higher wages.

Howting also asked if his fellow workers could join with the employer to "shake down politicians for more money," the report said.

McCotter said in a statement Monday that Howting had been separated from the congressman's Milford district office since Feb. 15, and that he had no knowledge of Howting's activities.

“He informed his supervisor that he was taking a position working with inner city youth in Cincinnati," McCotter wrote. "Since this time, our office has had no knowledge of Mr. Howting's activities."