Evidence Uncovered by Kent County Prosecutor Demonstrates Illegal Use of Public Resources in Fake Democrat Scheme
LANSING – In light of evidence uncovered by Kent County Prosecuting Attorney William Forsyth showing how Speaker Jase Bolger, Rep. Roy Schmidt and House Republican staff perpetrated their election-fraud scheme, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer today refiled a complaint with Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, alleging the Speaker’s office used state resources and state employees to engage in illegal campaign activity.
“It’s now clear from the text messages, phone records and activities Prosecuting Attorney Forsyth documented in his report that Speaker Bolger and his staff violated the Michigan Campaign Finance Act by using state resources for their ill-fated plan to ‘undermine the election’ in Michigan’s 76th House District,” said Brewer. “The arrogance demonstrated here is stunning. Not only did Speaker Bolger and Roy Schmidt conspire to deny the voters a real choice in November, they used taxpayer dollars to do it.”
When the MDP first filed a complaint in May, evidence showed that a Bolger staffer, Michelle McQuiston, had notarized Schmidt’s GOP affidavit as well as his Democratic candidate withdrawal form. At that time, Secretary Johnson refused to investigate and dismissed the complaint, citing a lack of evidence.
Forsyth found that state employees had used state phones and sent text messages during working hours and that Bolger’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Phil Browne, filed the candidate affidavits of Schmidt and the fake Democrat during work hours.
“It’s time for Ruth Johnson to stop being part of the cover-up here and prosecute Bolger and his staff for their illegal use of taxpayer resources,” said Brewer. “She claims to be concerned about election fraud. This is her opportunity to prove it.”
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