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Michigan Petition-Fraud Defendant Gets 4–20 Years, Remains Free Pending Appeal

Prosecutors say his firms delivered tens of thousands of forged signatures after collecting nearly $400,000 from campaigns.

Overview

  • Shawn Wilmoth was convicted in February on charges including conducting a criminal enterprise, multiple counts of false pretenses, computer crimes, and election law forgery.
  • Judge James Maceroni sentenced him to four to 20 years, ordered $376,601 in restitution, and required a bond as he pursues an appeal.
  • The forged petitions kept five Republican gubernatorial candidates, including James Craig and Perry Johnson, off Michigan’s 2022 primary ballot, and also affected some judicial candidates.
  • Co-defendant Willie Reed was also found guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 31.
  • Officials say the candidates were not accused of knowing about the scheme, which was uncovered after elections staff flagged large numbers of invalid signatures.