MICHIGAN (WNEM) – Attorney General Dana Nessel is issuing charges against two longtime Republican fundraisers.
Nessel said Heather Lombardini and Sandy Baxter helped raise money for the Unlock Michigan Ballot Proposal committee in 2020 and 2021 through nonprofit organizations.
The proposal hoped to strip Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of her emergency powers during the coronavirus pandemic.
Nessel claims it was to evade campaign finance disclosure requirements. She said the finance system needs to be changed.
“Ultimately, our campaign finance system is just fundamentally broken. 501(c4)’s were designed to serve as social welfare organizations, not vessels for politicians to receive dark money,” Nessel said.
Lombardini was charged with one felony and several misdemeanors. Baxter was charged with lying under oath during testimony, which could put her behind bars for up to 15 years.
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