Crossword Genius

Deal inappropriately with the Wolverine State (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mishandle

'deal inappropriately with' is the definition.
(to mishandle is to deal with badly)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for mishandle that I've seen before include "Bungle" , "Fumble" , "Wrongly manage" , "Maltreat" , "Badly judge" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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