Attorney General Bill Schuette
deemed the acts of Paul Seewald and Don Yowchuang a “disgraceful violation of
the public trust” on Tuesday. The two, who worked for former congressman
Thaddeus McCotter and were involved in McCotter’s petition scandal, entered
pleas to all but one of the criminal charges brought against them. Seewald and
Yowchuang, along with other members of McCotter’s Michigan staff, were involved
in the fraudulent copying and altering of petitions that led to McCotter’s
qualification for the 2012 Michigan ballot.
Yowchuang pleaded no contest to
ten counts of forgery – a felony – and six counts of falsely signing a
nominating petition – a misdemeanor. Seewald, on the other hand, pleaded guilty
to nine counts of falsely signing a nominating petition as circulator.
One charge remains, however.
Conspiracy to Commit a Legal Act in an Illegal Manner is still pending against
both Seewald and Yowchuang. Judge Marie Braxton is expected to hear an argument
on January 9, 2013 from Mr. Seewald’s attorney, Mark Mandell, to have this
remaining felony charge dismissed. Mandell, a partner at the law firm Fausone
Bohn, LLP, will face opposition from the Attorney General’s office when they
oppose the motion in court.
A handful of other McCotter
staffers have previously made pleas in regards to the petition scandal. Members
include Lorianne O’Brady, a former scheduler for the congressman, who pleaded
no contest to five counts of falsely signing a nominating petition as
circulator. She has been sentenced to 20 days in jail or in a work program. Further,
O’Brady will serve probation for 18 months following the sentence, and she has
been ordered to pay over $2,000 in fines.
One member of McCotter’s staff
still faces criminal charges. Mary Melissa Turnbull, who is scheduled to appear
for a Pre-Trial hearing on January 8, 2013, has been charged with one count of
Conspiracy to Commit a Legal Act in an Illegal Manner and one count of falsely
signing a nominating petition as circulator.
These convictions have come as a
result of Attorney General Schuette’s creation of the Public Integrity Unit in
2011. Since its creation, the unit has filed over 200 charges in various cases
involving corruption at both the state and local levels. The unit continues to
pursue convictions in such fraud and corruption cases.
If you have questions regarding
fraud or other legal issues, please contact Mark Mandell at 248.380.0000 or www.MichiganFraudLawyer.com.
To learn more and read the
original articles, please visit:
and http://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,4534,7-164-46849_47203-290480--,00.html
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