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Who are the 'fake electors' in Michigan? AG Dana Nessel charges 16 pro-Trump Republicans for meddling in 2020 election

They affixed their signatures to multiple certificates falsely asserting their status as eligible electors for Donald Trump

LANSING, MICHIGAN: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed felony charges against 16 Republicans, including notable individuals within the party, for their purported participation as "false electors" in the 2020 election on behalf of former President Donald Trump. Among those facing charges are Kathy Berden, the head of the Republican National Committee's Michigan chapter, Meshawn Maddock, the former co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party, and Stan Grot, Shelby Township Clerk.

Attorney General Dana Nessel stated these individuals and others, convened at the former headquarters of the Michigan Republican Party on December 14, 2020. Allegedly, during this gathering, they affixed their signatures to multiple certificates falsely asserting their status as eligible electors for Donald Trump. These fabricated documents were subsequently sent to Congress and the National Archives. The charges include forgery and conspiracy to commit election forgery, with potential prison terms of five to 14 years.

Who is Dana Nassel?

Dana Nessel holds the position of Michigan's attorney general, representing the Democratic Party. In response to allegations of election misconduct, Nessel has taken decisive action by filing felony charges against 16 Republicans, including prominent members of the party.

"The false electors' actions undermined the public's faith in the integrity of our elections and, we believe, also plainly violated the laws by which we administer our elections in Michigan," Nessel said in a statement.

Ensuring accountability and safeguarding future elections

The alleged meeting took place on December 14, 2020, at the previous headquarters of the Michigan Republican Party. It is alleged that during this gathering, the group knowingly signed multiple certificates falsely claiming their status as qualified electors for Donald Trump. Subsequently, these fabricated documents were transmitted to Congress and the National Archives.

While the charges have brought "accountability and justice" for those who sought to subvert the will of the people, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson expressed concern over the ongoing "nationally coordinated effort to weaken democracy". "As we prepare for the 2024 presidential election, today’s charges are the first in an ongoing effort to not just seek justice for the wrongs of the past but to ensure they do not happen again," Benson said. False Electoral College certificates were similarly submitted, declaring Trump the winner in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Who are the 16 false electors?

The 16 individuals implicated as "false electors" in Michigan's 2020 election now find themselves facing charges of forgery and conspiracy to commit election forgery. These charges carry penalties ranging from five to 14 years in prison.

The allegations against them suggest an effort to undermine the integrity of the electoral process and violate Michigan's election laws. The 16 individuals accused of acting as "false electors" in Michigan's 2020 election are:

1. Meshawn Maddock

Meshawn Maddock, 55, who previously served as co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party and played a prominent role in the 2020 Trump campaign, has been identified as one of the individuals involved in the false elector scheme. She openly boasted about the Trump campaign's participation in the scheme.

It is worth noting that Maddock is married to Matt Maddock, a GOP member of the Michigan House of Representatives. Prior to the January 6, 2021 insurrection, the Maddocks spoke at a pro-Trump event in Washington, DC. Although Meshawn Maddock was present in DC on the day of the attack, she was not at the US Capitol itself.

2. Kathy Berden

Kathy Berden, 70, is one of the Republican National Committee members representing Michigan and a pro-Trump delegate at the 2016 Republican National Convention.

3. Marian Sheridan

Marian Sheridan, 69, is grassroots vice chairwoman of the Michigan Republican Party and a plaintiff in a lawsuit attempting to overturn the 2020 election results in Michigan.

4. Kent Vanderwood

Kent Vanderwood, 69, is the current mayor of Wyoming, Michigan and former chair of the 2nd District Republican Party.

5. Stanley Grot

Stanley Grot, 71, is the Shelby Township clerk in western Michigan, appointed in 2012.

6. Amy Facchinello

Amy Facchinello, 55, was elected member of the Grand Blanc school board in 2002 and former vice chairwoman of the Genesee County Republican Party known for promoting QAnon-related material.

7. Mari-Ann Henry

Mari-Ann Henry, 65, is the treasurer of the 7th Congressional District Republican Committee, which includes Lansing and surrounding counties.

8. Michele Lundgren

Michele Lundgren, 73, ran as the Republican nominee for a Detroit-based seat in the Michigan House of Representatives in 2022. However, she faced a significant defeat in the heavily Democratic district.

In relation to the fake electors plot, Lundgren shared with CNN last year, "We were contacted by phone, asked to come and show support for President Trump, and sign something. We all went to Lansing and were simply instructed to show up and sign this document. If we had any knowledge that it was improper or illegal, we would not have participated."

9. Clifford Frost

Clifford Frost, 75, is a realtor who ran for the Macomb County Board of Commissioners and worked as a GOP poll-watcher in Detroit during the 2020 primary. In recent days, he has shared pro-Trump conspiracy theories about alleged voter fraud on social media.

10. John Haggard

John Haggard, 82, participated as one of the plaintiffs in a meritless lawsuit aimed at overturning the 2020 election results in Michigan. The lawsuit was ultimately dismissed, and the attorneys involved faced sanctions from a judge.

It's worth noting that Haggard previously served as an official Trump elector from Michigan during the 2016 election, which saw Donald Trump narrowly securing victory in the state.

11. Timothy King

Timothy King, 56, joined as one of the plaintiffs in a baseless lawsuit aimed at overturning the 2020 election results in Michigan. However, the lawsuit was subsequently dismissed, and the attorneys involved faced sanctions from a judge.

12. Rose Rook

Rose Rook, 81, is a member of the executive committee of the Van Buren County Republicans.

13. Mayra Rodriguez

Myra Rodriguez, 64, is a lawyer who may face potential disciplinary proceedings related to her involvement in the fake electors plot.

14. Hank Choate

Hank Choate, 72, is a dairy farmer who met with Trump during a White House event focused on agriculture in 2017. The event was also attended by then-Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.

15. Ken Thompson

Ken Thompson, 68, was enlisted as a replacement for one of the initial GOP electors who had been recruited prior to the 2020 election. During the House select committee's investigation into the events of January 6, 2021, a Michigan GOP official testified that Ken Thompson stepped in to fill the vacancy left by an elector who expressed discomfort and declined participation in the process

16. James Renner

James Renner, 76, was also brought in later in the process to replace an original GOP elector.