(CBS DETROIT) – More than a dozens of people have been charged by the General Prosecutor’s Office with electoral fraud.
The defendants range from Republican operatives to activists, Wyoming’s mayor and even a Shelby Township clerk.
These are the people facing charges:
Kathy Berden, 70, of SnoverWilliam (Hank) Choate, 72, of Cement CityAmy Facchinello, 55, of Grand BlancClifford Frost, 75, of WarrenStanley Grot, 71, of Shelby TownshipJohn Haggard, 82, of CharlevoixMari-Ann, of Henry, 665 BrightonTimothy King, 56, of YpsilantiMichele Lundgren, 73, of DetroitMeshawn Maddock, 55, of MilfordJames Renner, 76, of LansingMayra Rodriguez, 64, of Grosse Pointe FarmsRose Rook, 81, of Paw PawMarian Sheridan, 68, of West BloomfieldThompson , 68K, 68K , of OrleansKent Vanderwood, 69, of Wyoming
According to Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office, each defendant is charged with:
One count of conspiracy to commit forgery, a 14-year felony, two counts of forgery, a 14-year felony, one count of conspiracy to commit uttering and publishing, a 14-year felony, one count of uttering and publishing, a 14 -year felony, one count of conspiracy to commit falsification of the election law, a 5-year felony, and, two counts of falsification of the election law, a 5-year felony.
“I truly believe these charges are politically charged,” said Rocky Raczkowski, a former Republican state representative.
Meanwhile, Democrats are cheering the decision to charge them individuals.
“I’m very grateful that our attorney general stepped up and issued charges against these people,” said LaVora Barnes, the current chairwoman of the Michigan Democratic Party.
“These Republicans tried to undermine the very foundations of our democracy by pretending they were really the duly elected voters knowing they weren’t. I’m surprised it happened in the first place.”
However, Raczowski said he believes these individuals are being politically targeted.
“And this attorney general is using politics to prosecute people,” Raczowski said.
Raczkowski said they may have made a mistake in certifying voters, but said they did not break the law.
“I strongly recommend that none of these defendants accept a plea deal and that they fight,” he said.
In March, the federal government opened its own investigation into allegations of voter fraud. No charges have been filed.
Gino Vicci
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