Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, previously charged several Trump supporters and now added two more; one of them was her political rival.
Attorney Matthew DePerno, former candidate who ran against Nessel has been charged with undue possession of a voting machine and conspiracy. Daire Rendon, a former Republican state representative, has also been charged with conspiracy to commit undue possession of voting machine and false pretense on the same day former President Trump was indicted in DC.
Here’s how the Detroit Free Press describes the charges:
An unusual series of events preceded criminal charges brought Tuesday against two Republicans — former Michigan attorney general candidate Matt DePerno and former state Rep. Daire Rendon, R-Lake City — for allegedly gaining improper access to voting machines in the wake of the 2020 election.
The rare moves made by the special prosecutor — Muskegon County Prosecutor DJ Hilson — in the case include asking a judge to preemptively interpret the law the pair are now accused of violating and convening a grand jury which ultimately brought the charges. Legal experts said the process reflects a cautious, deliberate approach.
According to the investigation that was conducted via a special prosecutor appointment, “five vote tabulators were illegally taken from three counties and brought to a hotel room, according to documents released last year by Nessel’s office. Investigators found that the tabulators were broken into and “tests” were performed on the equipment. DePerno was named as a “prime instigator” in the case.
Recently, Nessel charged 16 Trump supporters charging them with forgery and conspiracy to commit election forgery. One of the members of the group being charged in the head of the Republican National Committee in Michigan and the former co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party.
A special prosecutor was appointed for the case against DePerno because, at the time, he was running against Nessel in the statewide District Attorney race.
Both DePerno and Rendon were arraigned and released on personal bond.
