New MDP Video Highlights Editorials Supportive of Bolgergate Grand Jury Investigation

From Michigan Democratic Party:

LANSING – The Michigan Democratic Party today released a new video that highlights recent newspaper editorials that have applauded the one-person grand jury investigation into House Speaker Jase Bolger, Rep. Roy Schmidt and others for recruiting fake candidate Matt Mojzak to run against Schmidt, helping Mojzak to file a fraudulent candidate affidavit and then covering up their involvement in the scheme.

“The Bolgergate issue is not just an issue for voters in Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties,” said Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer. “This is an issue that’s important for voters all across Michigan, and these editorials, as well as the slew of editorials that have called for Speaker Jase Bolger to step down from leadership, show just that. This grand jury investigation is crucial to restoring the trust of the people of Michigan in their leaders in Lansing.”

The video highlights recent editorials in the following newspapers:

• Grand Rapids Press/Kalamazoo Gazette, Schmidt-Bolger deserve grand jury investigation;
• Lansing State Journal, Grand jury right step in election case;
• Livingston County Daily Press and Argus, Republicans wrong to cry foul about Michigan House campaign investigation;
• Toledo Blade, Bringing it on themselves.

The video is available online here:

http://youtu.be/8WY8IJ_284o

Voters can view all of the editorials on the scandal, as well as publicly available documents and news coverage, at Bolgergate.com.

Will the Bolgergate Grand Jury Call Attorney General Bill Schuette?

From Michigan Democratic Party:

What Did Romney’s Michigan Campaign Chairman Discuss with Rep. Roy Schmidt? Did Schuette Obstruct Justice?

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette should be called in the Bolgergate grand jury investigation because of a text message he sent to state Rep. Roy Schmidt the morning after the filing deadline.

Schuette, Mitt Romney’s Michigan Campaign Chairman, rejected calls to reopen the investigation, despite the fact that a Michigan State Police detective believed there was probable cause to look into whether Schmidt and Bolger had committed crimes in recruiting fake candidate Matt Mojzak to run against Schmidt, helping Mojzak to file a fraudulent candidate affidavit and then covering up their involvement in the scheme.

“In the Bolgergate case, it looks like Attorney General Bill Schuette neglected his duty and may have obstructed justice,” Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer said. “What did Schmidt and Schuette discuss after Schuette’s text message? When Schuette and Schmidt spoke on May 16, there already was widespread news coverage about the fake Democrat. Did they discuss it? Did they discuss the calls for an investigation? People deserve to know.

“This highly inappropriate communication should be investigated fully. At a minimum, this communication casts a cloud over Schuette’s decision not to continue the Bolgergate investigation when the local prosecutor brought it to a close prematurely. It is unprecedented to have a Michigan Attorney General communicating privately with one of the targets of a criminal investigation.”

Schuette sent the following text message to Schmidt on the morning of May 16:

“Roy. Bill Schuette here. Call when you can (phone number redacted). Thanks.”

Text messages obtained by the Michigan State Police reveal that in the days leading up to the deadline for Mojzak to withdraw his fraudulent candidacy, Schmidt and his son, Ryan, repeatedly assured a nervous Mojzak that there was no investigation. Did Schmidt know that because Schuette told him?

When asked if Schuette would reopen the investigation, a Schuette spokesperson told theDetroit Free Press,”It’s not our practice to second-guess prosecutors once they have concluded an investigation.”

Voters can view all of the publicly available documents and media reports on the scandal atBolgergate.com.

MDP Launches Bolgergate.com Website to Keep Michigan Voters Informed

From The Michigan Democratic Party:

LANSING – The Michigan Democratic Party today launched a new website,Bolgergate.com, to keep Michigan voters informed about Speaker Jase Bolger and Rep. Roy Schmidt’s scheme to rig a House election and the subsequent cover-up, which is now being investigated by a one-person grand jury in Ingham County.

“With new developments emerging every week or so in Bolgergate, we believed it was important to keep the public up to date on the investigation into Speaker Bolger and Roy Schmidt’s schemes,” Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer said. “With Bolgergate.com, we are empowering citizens to get involved and demand action from their representatives in Lansing. Speaker Bolger now has the cloud of a grand jury investigation hanging over his head, and his continuing to cling to power is an embarrassment to the institution. The time for half-hearted apologies is over; the time for him to step down from leadership is now.”

The website includes videos, news stories, editorials from across the state, responses to the scandal from other elected officials, reports and documents on the investigation, as well as citizen action items including a petition and a link to contact legislators.

“This is not just an issue for voters in Kent, Kalamazoo or Calhoun counties,” said Brewer. “This is an issue for all Michigan voters because Bolger is the leader of the House Republican Caucus, fifth in line to become Governor. He sets the legislative agenda, but he also sets the tone. Throughout this process, he has shown contempt for the voters, by first attempting to rig an election, then lying to the public about his involvement and finally trying to blame others for his unethical conduct. When voters head to the polls this November, they should know the whole truth about Jase Bolger, and that’s our goal with Bolgergate.com.”

MDP Chair Mark Brewer Issues Statement on Kent County Prosecutor’s Report on Roy Schmidt Election Scandal

From the Michigan Democratic Party:

Prosecutor Finds Speaker Bolger and Rep. Schmidt Schemed to “Perpetrate a Fraud on the Electorate”

LANSING – Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer issued the following statement on the findings of Kent County Prosecuting Attorney William Forsyth from his investigation into the Roy Schmidt scandal:

”It’s clear from today’s report by Prosecuting Attorney Forsyth that Speaker Bolger has been lying to the public and to the press since this scandal began. Based on the text messages and phone calls that Forsyth uncovered, Bolger and his top staff, including Chief of Staff Suzanne Miller Allen, Deputy Chief of Staff Phil Browne, spokesperson Ari Adler and their legal counsel were all involved in this scheme right from the beginning, despite their contemptuous protests to the contrary.

“Forsyth’s condemnation of Bolger and Schmidt — saying he was ‘embarrassed and offended’ as a fellow Republican — shows just how despicable their actions were. Given the fact that the people of Michigan can no longer rely on anything that comes out of his mouth, Speaker Bolger should step down immediately from leadership in the House.

“Even as Forsyth has wrapped up his investigation, we will continue to press this issue forward. There are possible campaign finance violations, civil liability and violations of House rules involved, and we expect those allegations to be investigated fully.”

The complete Forsyth report is available here:http://michigandems.com/forsythdecision.pdf.

MDP Files Complaint Against Speaker Bolger, Rep. Schmidt, and Bolger COS Miller Allen for Violating State Law

From Michigan Democratic Party

Complaint Alleges State Employees Engaged in Illegal Election Activity and Used State Resources for Election Work

LANSING – Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer today filed an MCFA Section 57 complaint with the Michigan Department of State alleging House Speaker Jase Bolger, Rep. Roy Schmidt, and Bolger Chief of Staff Suzanne Miller Allen violated state law. The complaint alleges the Speaker’s office used state resources and state employees to engage in illegal campaign activity.

Bolger’s staffer, Michelle McQuiston, notarized Schmidt’s GOP affidavit as well as his Democratic candidate withdrawal form. The complaint also alleges that Bolger, Miller Allen, and Schmidt used state phones, offices, and emails to plan and execute Schmidt’s withdrawal as a Democrat and re-filing as a Republican.

“Not only did these three apparently conspire to commit election fraud, but they also did it on state time using state resources,” Brewer said. “Republicans are using taxpayer dollars to help execute election strategy and campaign activity. The Department of State needs to investigate this matter by combing through emails and phone records to see what illegal conduct may have taken place.”

“Republicans seem to think they’re above the law and don’t have to play by the same rules as everyone else,” added Brewer. “This deception must be exposed immediately. We expect the Department of State to thoroughly investigate this complaint.”

What is House GOP Campaign Boss Pete Lund Hiding Regarding GOP Perjury and Election Fraud in his Non-Denial Denial?

From Michigan Democratic Party:

What Was Lund’s Involvement in the Roy Schmidt Scandal?

LANSING – From Pete Lund’s latest comments, it sure looks like he has something to hide. In an interview with MIRS earlier this week (5/22/12), Lund refused to deny that he and Republicans played a role in recruiting fake Democrat Matt Mojzak to run against former Democrat Roy Schmidt in House District 76. Mojzak lied on his candidate affidavit and is now under investigation by the Michigan State Police for perjury and election fraud.

From MIRS: “Asked by MIRS if he ever attended or had knowledge of any internal meetings about how to handle the Schmidt situation, he retorted, ‘I was not a party to any meeting.’ He acknowledged that he is not aware that there were any, yet he does not rule it out that it might have happened.”

While he claims to have not attended any meetings, was he still part of the plot? Was he aware of phone calls and emails? What exactly did Lund know and when did he know it?

“Lund’s non-denial denial just raises more questions about this illegal Republican plot,” Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer said. “What was Lund’s role in recruiting Mojzak? Was it his idea? Did he conspire together with Schmidt and other Republicans? Lund and Schmidt need to stop being evasive in their answers and come clean to the voters.”

“This deception needs to stop,” added Brewer. “Crimes were committed in this scandal and the voters deserve swift and complete disclosure.”

What was Bolger Chief of Staff Suzanne Miller Allen’s Role in Election Fraud Scheme?

From Michigan Democratic Party:

Speaker’s COS Was Involved in a Similar Scam 10 Years Ago While Working as COS for GOP Senate Leader Ken Sikkema

LANSING – It’s all starting to unravel now for Republicans as information continues to come out about an illegal election fraud scam to put a fake Democratic candidate on the ballot in House District 76.

“We’ve known that Speaker Jase Bolger and Representative Roy Schmidt had been secretly meeting for weeks, if not months, about the scam,” Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer said. “But now we’re learning that Bolger’s Chief of Staff Suzanne Miller Allen may have helped to mastermind the entire plot.”

Miller Allen was also Ken Sikkema’s Chief of Staff in 2002 when the then GOP Senate Leader was involved in a similar stunt to place fake Democrats on the ballot.  Miller Allen’s role as caucus Chief of Staff in both instances raises even more questions.

“Was this a plot 10 years in the making?” Brewer asked. “What was Miller Allen’s involvement this time? Did she help plan it? Was she the mastermind? The evidence continues to pile up that this illegal scheme had been in the works for some time. Republicans like Jase Bolger, Suzanne Miller Allen, Roy Schmidt, Pete Lund and others, need to come forward and tell the voters what they know. This illegal deception will come out at some point. They all owe it to the voters to come clean now.”

House GOP: Lies, Deceit, and Election Fraud

From Michigan Democratic Party

MDP Calls for Immediate Investigation into Voter Fraud by Speaker Bolger, Rep. Lund, and Rep. Schmidt

LANSING – Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer is calling for an immediate investigation into election fraud perpetrated by House Speaker Jase Bolger, Representative Pete Lund, and Representative Roy Schmidt. Yesterday, Schmidt changed his party affiliation to Republican and helped place his nephew’s friend, Matthew Mojzak, on the ballot as a fake Democrat. The only problem is, Mojzak doesn’t live in the district – a requirement to run for the seat.

Mojzak was registered to vote in Ottawa County and did not change his registration until late on Tuesday, according to MIRS Newsletter. In his attached candidate affidavit, Mr. Mojzak stated under penalty of perjury that he has been a resident of Kent County for 22 years – an obvious lie. He’s using his grandmother’s address in the 76th district in an attempt to qualify as a candidate there.

“It’s clear this was a plot weeks in the making,” Brewer said. “But Republicans made one critical mistake – Mr. Mojzak lied on his candidate affidavit because he has not been living in Kent County – that’s election fraud.”

“Republicans like Bolger, Lund, and Schmidt set out to deceive voters from the beginning in order to ensure Schmidt would be reelected and help them protect their majority in the State House,” added Brewer. “We call for an immediate investigation into this matter by Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, Attorney General Bill Schuette, and the Kent County Prosecutor’s office.”

“Republicans demanded that the so-called fake Tea Party in Oakland County be prosecuted and there should be an investigation about the fake Democrat put on the ballot in this case,” said Brewer. “Bolger, Lund, and Schmidt should come clean as to what they know about this conspiracy to put a fake Democrat on the ballot. The public will not tolerate a cover-up.”

“This is just another example of Republican hypocrisy,” Brewer continued. “They claim to be the party of transparency and values, yet they pull these sneaky, illegal tactics in order to hold onto their power in Lansing. Rather than face voters in November, they concocted this deceitful, fraudulent plan. Bolger, Lund, Schmidt, and Mojzak should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

The Roy Schmidt Cover-Up Begins

From Michigan Democratic Party:

Roy Schmidt’s Fake Democrat Withdraws, But Serious Legal Questions Remain

LANSING – While Roy Schmidt’s fake Democrat Matt Mojzak has withdrawn from the race, serious legal questions remain. Today, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer sent letters to Attorney General Bill Schuette and Secretary of State Ruth Johnson calling for an immediate and thorough investigation of perjury and election fraud.

“Mojzak’s withdrawal just proves that he was a fake Democrat and it’s obvious the cover-up of Roy Schmidt’s fake Democratic candidate has begun,” said Brewer. “It’s ironic that this cover-up is taking place on the anniversary of the beginning of the Watergate hearings. The voters deserve to know who exactly was involved in this plot, when it began, and why felonies were committed. These illegal conspirators must be brought to justice swiftly.”

Mojzak’s affidavit of three lies demonstrates that he was a Republican plant with the sole intention of clearing an easy path to reelection for Schmidt. The three lies in the affidavit include:

• Mojzak claiming he’s a Democrat.
• Mojzak claiming he’s registered to vote in the 76th district while his home and registration are in the 88th district.
• Mojzak claiming he’s been a resident of Kent County for 22 years when he’s been living in Ottawa County.

“There are many serious questions that need to be answered,” continued Brewer. “Who recruited this fake Democrat? Who prepared his affidavit? Who filed both Mojzak’s and Schmidt’s affidavits? Who is Raymond Venezia, the man who notarized Mojzak’s affidavit?”

“Schuette and Johnson need to investigate this obvious evidence of perjury and election fraud,” Brewer said. “They demanded the so-called fake Tea Party in Oakland County be held accountable and they should be just as adamant about this fake Democrat. Will Schuette and Johnson use their resources to investigate and bring to justice whomever is involved including House Speaker Jase Bolger and Representatives Pete Lund and Roy Schmidt? The voters deserved to know.”

MDP Chair Mark Brewer Issues Statement on Roy Schmidt’s Decision to Switch Parties

Now file this under weaselly bastard

From Michigan Democratic Party

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer issued the following statement on State Representative Roy Schmidt’s decision to become a Republican:

“I never had a cross word with Roy Schmidt and I enjoyed working with him as a Democrat. Unlike the GOP, the Michigan Democratic Party includes a broad spectrum of views from conservative to moderate to progressive, all of whom are welcome in the MDP. Indeed as I issue this statement, I am in Northern Michigan working with Democrats to regain a majority in the State House.

“So, it saddens me that in a desperate, cowardly, opportunistic move at the 11th hour, Roy Schmidt abandoned his constituents and the values by which he was elected for the sole purpose of clinging to office and the perks of the job. . Rather than face a tougher district, Schmidt cut a deal with the Republicans so that no one would run against him in an attempt to ensure his reelection.

“He has been deceiving voters for months as this was obviously something he had been planning for some time.  He chose this sneaky approach in an attempt to guarantee his reelection. We demand he immediately return any money raised from Democrats in the past year. We wish Schmidt well in the anti-women, anti-senior, anti-children Republican Party. He should be ashamed of this desperate, craven deed. Only someone who does not possess the conviction or confidence to face the voters would pull a stunt like this. He’ll fit in perfectly with the Republicans.”