lansing —Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said Wednesday that Lambert, an attorney who has worked to advance questionable election fraud claims nationwide, and former Adams Township Clerk Stephanie Scott had access to nonpublic voter information. announced new criminal charges against attorney Stephanie Lambert for allegedly allowing someone to do so.
Nessel, a Democrat and the state's top law enforcement official, disclosed the charges in a news release, noting how data was passed to unauthorized individuals through what Nessel's office called “2020 election voter data.” No specific details were given as to what was allegedly provided. violation. “
Lambert, who was previously involved in a lawsuit in Michigan to overturn Democrat Joe Biden's 2020 presidential election victory, said he was involved in an Adams Township e-mail “related to the 2020 general election under Mr. Scott's direction.” The lawyer said in a statement that the poll book data had been fraudulently transmitted. This was announced by the General's Office.
Electronic poll books typically contain personally identifying information about voters in a particular precinct, which may include an individual's name and address.
“When elected officials and their representatives use their positions to promote baseless conspiracies, blatantly disregard voter privacy, and violate the law in the process, “It undermines the essence of the democratic process.” “Those who engage in such reckless conduct must be held accountable for their actions.”
Lambert rose to prominence among some supporters of former Republican President Donald Trump thanks to his efforts to call into question the 2020 presidential election, which Trump lost to Biden. We are also getting support.
On Wednesday, Mr. Nessel announced three felony charges against Mr. Lambert. One charge is for using a computer, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison, one for unauthorized access to a computer, which carries a maximum penalty of five years, and conspiracy to commit fraud. He will also be banned from accessing computers and faces up to five years in prison.
Lambert, 42, of South Lyon, already faces four felony charges in Oakland County related to an alleged plot to obtain and investigate vote-counting tools used in Michigan's 2020 presidential election. It is being said. These charges are being handled by Muskegon County Attorney DJ Hilson, who is serving as special prosecutor.
Lambert did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday night.
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Scott, a former Hillsdale County township employee, was charged with five felonies, including criminal use of a computer, unauthorized access to a computer, conspiracy to commit unauthorized access to a computer, misconduct in office, and concealment or concealment. He was charged with one misdemeanor. Failure to use a voting machine or to comply with any legal direction or order of the Secretary of State.
The most serious violation would have carried up to seven years in prison for Scott, a Republican who was ousted from office by voters a year ago.
In 2021, the Michigan Department of Elections barred Scott from managing elections for failing to comply with state requirements for voting equipment in townships.
The department said Scott refused to perform preventive maintenance or conduct or approve public accuracy testing of the town's voting equipment. She also allegedly failed to confirm that she would use certified voting equipment from the town's vendor, Hart Intercivic, in her future elections.
Scott, who had posted various QAnon materials on his social media accounts, told The Detroit News at the time that he had to maintain the township's tabulation machine because he feared the county would erase information about the relevant equipment, among other things. He said he did not want to release it. Until the presidential election in November 2020.
Michigan State Police seized the Adams Township tabulator and ultimately handed over the investigation against Scott to the Attorney General's Office.
Mr. Lambert served as Mr. Scott's attorney in his 2022 lawsuit against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and the Michigan State Police for violating his clerk's rights.
cmauger@detroitnews.com
Staff writer Beth LeBlanc contributed.