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 Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons?

From The Michigan Democratic

Did Lyons Help to Obstruct Justice?

LANSING – While it seems certain that House Speaker Jase Bolger, Rep. Roy Schmidt, Schmidt’s son, Ryan, and fake Democratic candidate Matt Mojzak will appear before the Ingham County one-person grand jury, a number of other players may be compelled to testify, as well.

Today the Michigan Democratic Party begins a series on possible Bolgergate grand jury targets — who they are and how they could be involved in possible crimes.

State Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons would seem to be at the top of the list, based on media reports and text messages revealed through Freedom of Information Act requests. She may have conspired with others to obstruct justice.

“Lisa Posthumus Lyons has admitted publicly she acted as a messenger between Bolger and Schmidt,” Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer said. “Text messages reveal that Lyons instructed Schmidt to ‘make sure’ Mojzak, the fake candidate, did not ‘talk to the dems or the media.’ Clearly Lyons was involved in the cover-up from the very beginning.”

Lyons sent the following text messages to Schmidt on the evening of May 15:

19:42 “Not sure if your phone is on. I’m worried about you, Donna and Junior. I think you should cash in with some of your GRPD friends and have an off duty officer just hang out at your house tonight. If you want my Brad will call in sick and do it. I want you guys to be safe.”

21:26 “Do NOT read the press, watch the news or troll facebook. Don’t do that to yourself. listen to a cd with donna or read a book. Want me to pick you up in the morning or Brad could pick you up when he gets out of work or you could meet me at the park n ride at exit 52? Let me know. But I’m serious about calling any off duty police you may be friends with to hang out by your place.”

21:39 “The Speaker is asking that you not attend Committees for a couple days. He wants you to lay low practically sequestered. We don’t have insurance. You’d have to miss transportation tomorrow, which isn’t a big deal.”

22:11 “Oh, and Brad is going to have a GRPD car patrol by your house a few times tonight.”

22:34 “If you’re sure we’ll plan on that. I would blow my 9:15 off but it’s Education and I have to chair. Let’s plan on Thursday. Also on your way in bring cds NO MAINSTREAM MEDIA. I also need to tell you that you to make sure Matthew your dem opponent does not talk to the dems or the media or withdrawal. Jase will explain tomorrow.”

When confronted about her involvement, Lyons told the Grand Rapids Press, “The Speaker asked me to deliver a message. We were not told [Mojzak] was a plant. We were told that Roy had a Democrat file in that race.”

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

Wages of Sin: Bolger Re-election in Doubt

From Michigan Democratic Party:

MIRS Poll Shows House Speaker in Statistical Dead Heat in Supposedly Safe District

LANSING – The Michigan Democratic Party today released the following statement on reports that a poll by MIRS/Practical Political Consulting found House Speaker Jase Bolger is in trouble with voters of the 63rd House District.

“His attempt to rig an election has dimmed prospects for Jase Bolger’s own re-election,” Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer said. “According to a recent poll of likely voters in the 63rd House District, Bolger’s lead is now within the margin of error in what the pollster calls an ‘almost safely Republican’ district.”

Despite the district having a 57 percent GOP base, MIRS decided to test the Speaker’s numbers since a grand jury began looking into possible criminal conduct by Bolger.

Along with Rep. Roy Schmidt, Bolger is currently being investigated by a one-person grand jury in Ingham County for a scheme to recruit a fake candidate, who committed perjury, to run against Schmidt and then cover up their involvement.

“The stench of Jase Bolger’s disdain for democracy has wafted over from Grand Rapids and settled over his home district,” said Brewer. “Independent-minded voters aren’t buying Bolger’s lame attempts to rationalize his unethical conduct, and they are turning away from him in droves. No matter what comes out of the grand jury, Bolger is now in a fight for his political future.”

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.”

When Will Schuette Finish His Investigation of McCotter’s Petition Fraud?

From The Michigan Democratic Party:

LANSING – Two months after Attorney General Bill Schuette announced a criminal investigation of fraud found in GOP Congressman Thad McCotter’s nominating petitions, he has yet to provide even a progress report on his investigation.

“What is the status of the McCotter investigation?” asked Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer. “Schuette has made an obsession of his alleged concern about election integrity, yet we’ve heard nothing from him about the biggest case of candidate petition fraud in Michigan history.

“Is he actually investigating? Is the fact the petition drive involved five of McCotter’s congressional staff, a candidate for Livonia School Board, the president of the Troy-Clawson Republican Forum, the Milford Township Supervisor, an Oakland County Road Commissioner and several GOP activists affecting his ability to conduct an honest and thorough investigation? Is he planning on quietly dropping the investigation, hoping that no one will notice?

“Everyone responsible for this unprecedented petition fraud must be held accountable. Is Schuette ‘on duty’ for the voters of Michigan or his Republican cronies?”

MDP Canvasses Bolger’s District, Calls on Constituents to Demand Resignation

From Michigan Democratic Party

Voters in House District 63 Fed Up with Bolger’s Shenanigans

LANSING – Volunteers from the Michigan Democratic Party canvassed voters today in House District 63, represented by Speaker Jase Bolger, whose attempts to rig a House election in Grand Rapids have drawn condemnations across the state from newspaper editorial boards, political pundits and ordinary citizens.

“Today we met with voters in Marshall to learn their reactions to this embarrassing scandal,” MDP Chair Mark Brewer said. “It’s apparent that after showing such blatant disregard for the voters of Grand Rapids, Jase Bolger is now losing the trust of his own constituents back in the district. He should step down from House leadership as soon as possible, so he can focus on rebuilding his broken relationship with the people of Calhoun County.”

The Michigan Democratic Party first canvassed in Bolger’s district back in June, when details of Bolger’s election fraud had yet to be made public. With the release of Kent County Prosecuting Attorney William Forsyth’s report last week, the MDP returned to Bolger’s hometown of Marshall to learn how his constituents were responding to the news.

The MDP provided an informational flyer that included details on the scandal, a recent Detroit Free Press editorial calling Bolger’s actions “unconscionable,” a quote from Forsyth calling the election fraud scheme “a travesty,” and a quote from Bolger, who told the Kalamazoo Gazette, “I did not lie…. I was evasive.”

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 Canvasses Bolger’s District Door-to-Door on Election Fraud

From Michigan Democratic Party

Flier Asks What Bolger’s Role Was in the HD 76 Election Fraud Scandal

LANSING – The Michigan Democratic Party took to the streets of Marshall today to canvass door-to-door in GOP House Speaker Jase Bolger’s District. The flier urges his constituents to call Bolger about the election fraud scandal in House District 76 and whether he is part of a cover up.

Last month, State Representative Roy Schmidt switched parties to become a Republican just minutes before the filing deadline at the urging and with the help of Bolger. A fake Democrat filed at the same time as Schmidt filed as a Republican and the same unknown person submitted both candidate affidavits with the Kent County Clerk. The fake Democrat, a close friend of the Schmidt family, has since withdrawn his candidacy, but not after he committed perjury on his candidate affidavit. A State Police investigation is underway.

“It’s clear election fraud took place in House District 76. What’s not been disclosed by Bolger is his role in it,” MDP Chair Mark Brewer said. “The flier we distributed today asks the questions that need to be answered. Did Bolger help recruit the fake Democrat? Was he aware of the candidate’s perjury? Did Bolger help the fake Democrat file his paperwork? It’s time for answers.”

“The voters in Bolger’s district deserve to know if he committed any crimes or if he’s part of a cover-up,” added Brewer. “We will not let up until the Speaker comes clean and tells the public what he knows. I canvassed Bolger’s neighborhood personally and met a lot of good people who are very concerned about these issues. By the way, Mr. Speaker, it looks like your hometown could use some road funding.”

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.”

Congressman McCotter the Latest Republican to Engage in Election Fraud?

From Michigan Democratic Party:

Michigan SOS Investigating McCotter Signatures for Possible Fraud

LANSING – It’s become a growing theme in the Michigan Republican Party – deceive the voters and commit crimes just to win an election. Congressman Thad McCotter may be the latest Republican to commit election fraud after the Michigan Secretary of State announced it was investigating his campaign for possible fraud and forgery.

McCotter’s campaign turned in 2,000 signatures to get him on the ballot, but the Secretary of State determined more than half of those were invalid. Did McCotter or his campaign staff forge signatures to get him on the ballot?

“Republicans seem to think they don’t have to play by the same rules or follow the law,” Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer said. “First, it was Roy Schmidt and Speaker Jase Bolger conspiring to put a fake Democrat on the ballot in House District 76, which has led to a Michigan State Police investigation for perjury and election fraud. Now, McCotter’s campaign may be guilty of forging signatures just to ensure McCotter got on the ballot. This is no longer an isolated incident. This is a pattern of fraud and illegal activity in the Michigan Republican Party.”

“Why do Republicans think they’re above the law?” asked Brewer. “These are serious charges and must be investigated thoroughly. Republicans are showing they are not fit to lead. They know voters will hold them accountable for their disastrous policies over the past two years. The voters deserve to know immediately whether Schmidt, Bolger, and McCotter are guilty of any crimes. It’s time for them all to come clean and tell what they know.”

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.”

Why Isn't The Right Screaming "Fraud" Over Iowa Caucuses?

by Matt Gertz

Let me begin by being perfectly clear: I have absolutely no reason to think any election fraud occurred in the GOP's Iowa caucuses on Tuesday. But if Democrats had been in any way involved, you can bet that Republicans would be screaming to the heavens about a possibly stolen election.

Before, during, and after virtually every competitive election, the right-wing media wail about how Democrats are on the verge of stealing elections through fraud. This has been going on for years, despite significant evidence that actual voter fraud is extremely rare. Conservatives have used this voter fraud myth to push for a variety of draconian restrictions on voting, which have the effect of disenfranchising traditionally Democratic voters such as young people, the poor, and minorities.

When Democrat-backed JoAnne Kloppenburg emerged from Wisconsin's Supreme Court election with a small lead last year, conservatives were quick to claim the election was within the "margin of fraud" and cite baseless allegations. The same thing happened when close elections favored Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) in 2008 and Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire (D). And then there's their endless allegations that Democrats or ACORN were about to steal an election.

Which brings us to Tuesday, when Mitt Romney won the Iowa caucus by a mere eight votes out of 60,022 cast, a margin so slim that even a handful of fraudulent votes could have tipped the balance. There will be no recount. And the Iowa GOP requires no photo ID from would-be caucusers; indeed, you could participate with no documentation if you and a registered voter from the precinct would both sign an oath swearing you are qualified.

Given past performance, you would expect a groundswell on the right questioning whether ineligible voters may have been able to change the results of the election.  None of that seems to have happened. With no Democrats or ACORN involved, there have been no complaints from the right-wing media. J. Christian Adams is silent. Hans Von Spakovsky is nowhere to be found.

It's almost like this whole voter fraud thing is one big right-wing scam.

Wisconsin Dems file complaint over ‘Koch brothers-funded scheme to suppress votes’

By Eric W. Dolan/Raw Story

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin filed a complaint on Tuesday seeking to stop what it called a Koch brothers-funded scheme to suppress Democratic votes in upcoming Republican recall elections.

Politico reported that Americans for Prosperity sent absentee ballots to Democrats in two Wisconsin state Senate recall districts with instructions that could render the votes ineligible.

Ballots must be received by August 9 to be counted, but the instructions say to return the paperwork two days later, by August 11.

The complaint (PDF) alleged that Americans for Prosperity "displayed a continued pattern of tampering with the electoral process in Wisconsin with elaborate, illegal and fraudulent schemes designed to suppress Democratic votes."

Americans for Prosperity was started by oil billionaires Charles and David Koch, and has been associated with the tea party movement. The Koch brothers' political action committee gave Republican Gov. Scott Walker roughly $100,000 in campaign contributions during the 2010 election.

"Scott Walker has sought the help of the corporate front group 'Americans For Prosperity,' and here they come with dirty tricks clearly meant to meddle in our elections and suppress votes against the Koch Brothers' agenda," Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate said Monday in a statement.

"Wisconsin's election authorities must stop the black hand of the corporate special interests and their front groups who are trying to strangle democracy in our state and support the six Republican senators now facing recall," he added.

Matt Seaholm, the State Director for Americans for Prosperity, told TMJ4 that the misinformation was "just a typo."

Under Wisconsin law, preventing the delivery of absentee ballots carries a fine up to $1,000 and up to six months in prison per violation