3 charged in Michigan signature scandal that spoiled five Republican candidacies
LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Three people have been charged with forgery and other crimes in an investigation of phony petition signatures that spoiled the candidacies of five Republicans who were running for Michigan governor in 2022.
Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the charges during a news conference Thursday.
Shawn Wilmoth, 36, Jamie Wilmoth, 36, and Willie Reed, 37, each face more than 20 charges, including election forgery and conducting a criminal enterprise, according to online court records.
Both Shawn and Jamie have been arrested while Reed is not in custody and is sought by U.S. Marshals.
"These three individuals absolutely knew that what they were receiving were forged signatures," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said.
Shawn Wilmoth and Jamie Wilmoth
Former Detroit police Chief James Craig and millionaire businessman Perry Johnson were considered to be strong candidates for the Republican nomination for governor, but they were barred from the August primary ballot.
"I applaud Dana and her team's work. She approached this in a very non-partisan way. This is not about Republican or Democrat. This is about democracy and taking away tonight for Michigan voters to vote for candidate of choice," Craig said.
State election officials said their petitions were rife with bogus signatures collected by paid petition circulators and, as a result, they didn’t have enough valid signatures to qualify. Three more candidates were also knocked off the ballot.
No candidate was personally accused of knowingly submitting fraudulent petitions.
The Wilmoths and Reed have not yet appeared in court. They could not immediately be reached for comment, and court records list no defense attorneys who could be asked about the charges.
Business and campaign records show Shawn Wilmoth was affiliated with First Choice Contracting LLC, a signature-collection company that was paid more than $200,000 by at least two disqualified candidates, the Detroit Free Press reported.
MORE: Police raid home of Warren man accused of collecting phony signatures on GOP petitions
After the signature scandal, Tudor Dixon emerged as the Republican nominee for governor but lost the general election to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Johnson lately has his eyes on a bigger prize: He’s been campaigning in Iowa for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.