FOX 2 Detroit reported last night that two former Democratic Party officials from Oakland County were arrested yesterday on charges of election crimes and forgery. The two men allegedly set up a scheme in attempt to fool voters into voting for Tea Party candidates in order to take votes away from GOP members. Michael McGuinness was the chairman of the Oakland County Democratic Party and Jason Bauer was the operations director. They are accused of forging documents and using certain candidates’ names without their knowledge. While they quit their position last summer, they were recently arrested and both posted bond yesterday, March 16th. They are facing a total of nine felonies and 14 years each in prison. John Tramontana, the Michigan State Democratic Party spokesman declined to comment to FOX 2 News and stated that it was not a state party issue and it wasn’t their place to comment.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard stated, “As an example, one of the individuals didn’t know they were on the ballot until they got a call, until they started receiving things in the mail.” The duo attempted to place two county commission candidates, Aaron W. Tyler and Ruth Ann Spearman, and a state senate candidate, Johnathan M. Young on last November’s ballots. Oakland County Circuit Judge James Alexander entered not-guilty pleas for both men and released them on personal bond. Their next court hearing is April 13.
As you may remember, Rock Kuchenmeister of the Romeo Area Tea Party clearly stated that the Tea Party does not publicly back any specific candidates. Read the interview here.
Tagged with: Democratic Party, forgery, FOX 2 Detroit, Oakland County, Tea Party
