to ensure a thorough investigation was conducted. The charges filed against DePerno and Rendon are significant, as they involve accessing and tampering with voting machines, which is a serious offense that undermines the integrity of the electoral process.
The charges come as Michigan’s Democrat attorney general and secretary of state, who were reelected, continue to face challenges from Republicans who have embraced Trump’s false claims of a stolen election. The attorney general has also filed felony charges against 16 Republicans who acted as fake electors for Trump in 2020.
The investigation into the alleged crimes committed by DePerno and Rendon has been ongoing since September, with a special prosecutor convening a grand jury in March to determine whether criminal indictments should be issued. The charges were authorized by an independent citizens grand jury, according to the special prosecutor.
These charges are part of a larger trend of legal consequences faced by individuals who have embraced Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election. The former president himself is currently under investigation for election interference in Georgia and has stated that he is a target of a federal investigation into efforts to overturn the election results.
DePerno, who was incorrectly listed as “DeParno” in court records, has been named as a prime instigator in the case. He has denied any wrongdoing and accused the state attorney general of weaponizing her office. However, the evidence gathered by investigators suggests that DePerno was present when the voting machines were accessed and tampered with.
The investigation revealed that five vote tabulators were taken from three counties in Michigan to a hotel room, where tests were performed on the equipment. DePerno and Rendon, along with seven other individuals, were named as being involved in the scheme.
The special prosecutor has indicated that there is more to come in the investigation, unrelated to the individuals currently charged. This suggests that there may be further charges and revelations in the future.
It is worth noting that the attorney general, who ran against DePerno in 2022, secured a special prosecutor to avoid any conflicts of interest and ensure an independent investigation.
The charges filed against DePerno and Rendon highlight the importance of protecting the integrity of the electoral process. Accessing and tampering with voting machines undermines the democratic principles upon which our nation is built. As the investigation continues, it is crucial that those responsible for these actions are held accountable to maintain public trust in our elections.Former Republican Attorney General Candidate and Trump Supporter Charged in Michigan for Tampering with Voting Machines
LANSING, Mich. (AP) – Matthew DePerno, a former Republican attorney general candidate who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, has been charged with undue possession of a voting machine and conspiracy in Michigan, according to court records. DePerno, along with Daire Rendon, a former Republican state representative, was charged in connection with accessing and tampering with voting machines after the 2020 election.
Both DePerno and Rendon were arraigned remotely on Tuesday afternoon. The charges were authorized by an independent citizens grand jury, according to special prosecutor D.J. Hilson. Hilson has been reviewing the investigation since September and convened a grand jury in March to determine whether criminal indictments should be issued.
These charges come as Michigan’s Democrat attorney general and secretary of state, who won reelection, continue to face challenges from Republicans who gained prominence in the state party through their loyalty to Trump and his false claims of a stolen election in 2020.
DePerno, who has previously denied any wrongdoing, was named as a prime instigator in the case. Five vote tabulators were taken from three counties in Michigan to a hotel room, where tests were performed on the equipment. DePerno was present during these activities, according to investigators.
Nine individuals, including DePerno and Rendon, were named as being involved in the scheme. The broader investigation is ongoing, with more charges expected to be filed.
The charges were slow to come due to the need for clarification from a judge on what constitutes illegal possession of a voting machine. Some defendants argued that they had permission from local clerks to take the machines. However, a state judge ruled in July that taking a machine without a court order or permission directly from the Secretary of State’s office is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
Former President Trump is also facing investigations for election interference in Georgia and for efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
