LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Michigan Attorney General’s Office announced on Thursday, August 10 that 16 defendants have been arraigned in court for their alleged part in posing as “fake electors.” Attorney General Dana Nessel says they’re part of a group of 16 people who coordinated to sign documents falsely claiming they had the authority to declare the 2020 election for former President Trump.
According to Nessel’s office, all 16 defendants pled not guilty on all eight counts with which each is charged.
Each was given a personal recognizance bond which stipulates defendants must not travel out of state without permission of the Court, must not possess or purchase firearms, ammunition, or dangerous weapons, must not commit any illegal acts, and must not miss any court dates at the risk of jeopardizing their bond.
The Court has scheduled the following future appearances:
- Kathy Berden, 70, now residing in Tennessee, was arraigned on August 10th, and is scheduled to next appear for a probable cause conference on August 18th and a preliminary exam on August 24th.
- William (Hank) Choate, 72, of Cement City, was arraigned on August 1st, and is scheduled to next appear for a probable cause conference on August 18th.
- Amy Facchinello, 55, of Grand Blanc, was arraigned on August 10th, and is scheduled to next appear for a probable cause conference on August 18th and a preliminary exam on August 24th.
- Clifford Frost, 75, of Warren, was arraigned on August 10th, and is scheduled to next appear for a probable cause conference on August 18th and a preliminary exam on August 24th.
- Stanley Grot, 71, of Shelby Township, was arraigned on August 8th, and is scheduled to next appear for a probable cause conference on August 18th and a preliminary exam on August 24th.
- John Haggard, 82, of Charlevoix, was arraigned on August 10th, and is scheduled to next appear for a probable cause conference on August 18th and a preliminary exam on August 24th.
- Mari-Ann Henry, 65, of Brighton was arraigned on July 21st, and is scheduled to next appear for preliminary examination on October 12th.
- Timothy King, 56, of Ypsilanti, was arraigned on August 10th, and is scheduled to next appear for a probable cause conference on August 18th and a preliminary exam on August 24th.
- Michele Lundgren, 73, of Detroit, was arraigned on August 10th, and is scheduled to next appear for a probable cause conference on August 18th and a preliminary exam on August 24th.
- Meshawn Maddock, 55, of Milford, was arraigned on July 25th, and is scheduled to next appear for preliminary examination on October 12th.
- James Renner, 76, of Lansing, was arraigned on August 10th, and is scheduled to next appear for a probable cause conference on August 18th and a preliminary exam on August 24th.
- Mayra Rodriguez, 64, of Grosse Pointe Farms, was arraigned on August 10th, and is scheduled to next appear for a probable cause conference on August 18th and a preliminary exam on August 24th.
- Rose Rook, 81, of Paw Paw, was arraigned on August 8th, and is scheduled to next appear for a probable cause conference on August 18th and a preliminary exam on August 24th.
- Marian Sheridan, 69, of West Bloomfield, was arraigned on August 7th, and is scheduled to next appear for a probable cause conference on August 18th and a preliminary exam on August 24th.
- Ken Thompson, 68, of Orleans, was arraigned on August 10th, and is scheduled to next appear for a probable cause conference on August 18th and a preliminary exam on August 24th.
- Kent Vanderwood, 69, of Wyoming, was arraigned on August 4th, and is scheduled to next appear for a probable cause conference on August 18th and a preliminary exam on August 24th.
- One count of Conspiracy to Commit Forgery, a 14-year felony;
- Two counts of Forgery, a 14-year felony;
- One count of Conspiracy to Commit Uttering and Publishing, a 14-year felony;
- One count of Uttering and Publishing, a 14-year felony;
- One count of Conspiracy to Commit Election Law Forgery, a 5-year felony; and,
- Two counts of Election Law Forgery, a 5-year felony.
This remains an ongoing investigation and the Michigan Department of Attorney General has not ruled out potential charges against additional defendants.
