A significant development has emerged in the campaign finance investigation linked to the Unlock Michigan initiative. Sandra Baxter, a key Republican fundraiser, admitted to providing misleading information during an inquiry into alleged financial misconduct. The case highlights the ongoing scrutiny of campaign funding practices and underscores the importance of transparency in political financing. Baxter's guilty plea reflects broader concerns about concealed donor identities and potential violations of state laws. This legal action serves as a reminder of the commitment by authorities to uphold the integrity of Michigan's electoral processes.
Sandra Baxter, aged 65, from Caledonia, entered a guilty plea on June 17 for knowingly offering false or deceptive statements to law enforcement officials during a criminal investigation. This misdemeanor offense carries a possible penalty of up to one year in jail and/or a fine reaching $2,500. According to the attorney general’s office, such actions erode the reliability of the judicial system. Attorney General Dana Nessel emphasized that accountability is crucial for those attempting to mislead investigators. Her office remains steadfast in its mission to expose truth and prosecute individuals obstructing justice.
In 2021, a complaint was filed by Robert LaBrant alleging a scheme involving undisclosed donations. The complaint targeted the nonprofit organization Michigan! My Michigan!, accusing it of breaching the state campaign finance regulations while supporting the Unlock Michigan ballot initiative. The intent of this scheme was reportedly to obscure the identities of contributors backing a petition effort aimed at curtailing Governor Gretchen Whitmer's authority amid the pandemic. Two nonprofits, both associated with former Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, contributed over $2.6 million to support this petition drive.
The Department of State forwarded LaBrant's complaint to Nessel's office in June 2022, leading to charges against two fundraisers. Baxter, previously serving as finance director for the Michigan GOP, acted as a fundraising consultant for Michigan! My Michigan! during the campaign. During the investigation, Baxter allegedly provided blatant falsehoods regarding her involvement in the concealed donation scheme. Consequently, she faced perjury charges in 2024 and later confessed in court to making deliberately misleading statements under oath in March 2023.
Baxter awaits sentencing scheduled for August 13 before Judge James Jamo in Ingham County's 30th Circuit Court. Another individual implicated in this case, Heather Lombardini, co-founder of Bright Spark Strategies, faces multiple misdemeanors for breaching Michigan campaign finance laws and a felony charge for allegedly falsifying an affidavit. Her case continues to be heard in the same court circuit. These proceedings signify the complex interplay between political fundraising and legal accountability in Michigan's political landscape.