Google Play adding permissions we don't use, then failing us for lacking reason

We have 10 learning apps that have been in mobile stores for over 12 years and make 7 figure revenue yearly (we are legit, though not Epic). They are all the same code base and utilize the same permissions etc, just vertical specific assets and content. Our recent Google Play update submission was failed on a single app because they said we weren't filling out the reasoning for camera / photo permissions (READ_MEDIA_IMAGES, READ_MEDIA_VIDEO). The catch is that we do NOT use those items, nor did we include the request for that permission (and all the other apps passed). We recompiled, submitted again indicating that we don't use the permission, but were rejected immediately again (likely an automated test). We force removed a permission that is tangentially related (though not the one indicated), recompiled and resubmitted. Oddly, the permission reappeared AND we subsequently failed again. The whole situation is bizarre and we haven't been able to speak / email with anyone at Google to resolve it. Has anyone run into a similar situation? Tips for actually getting to someone that could help get us out of this catch 22 loop?