The investigation into a plan to unlawfully overturn a legitimate election win has resulted in two Michigan politicians facing charges.
The Detroit Free Press reported Tuesday that former State Representative Daire Rendon and former Attorney General candidate Matt DePerno are charged with violating Michigan's election laws. Rendon and DePerno, allies of former U.S. President Donald Trump, are charged with conspiring to improperly access and tamper with voting machines in the aftermath of Trump's 2020 election loss.
Rendon represented Michigan's 103rd District in the State House. DePerno lost to Democratic incumbent Attorney General Dana Nessel in the 2022 midterm election.
Detroit television station WDIV reported that DePerno is accused of undue possession of a voting machine and conspiracy, and Rendon with conspiracy to commit undue possession of a voting machine and false pretenses. Both were arraigned Tuesday virtually in Oakland County Circuit Court.
The arraignment came after a grand jury investigation uncovered the alleged theft of voting tabulators. Prosecutors say tests were performed on the machines. WDIV reported that DePerno was an "instigator".
The charges have not been proven in court.
DePerno has denied any wrongdoing. In a statement provided to the Free Press by his lawyer, he called the charges politically motivated.
"He calls on the people of the State of Michigan to stand with him during this time as he remains dedicated to the pursuit of truth and justice," read the statement.
The announcement came on the same day that ABC News reported another criminal indictment against Trump. The former president and six unnamed co-conspirators are indicted for scheming to overturn Joe Biden's rightful election victory.
Nessel's office has already charged 16 people in a "false elector" scheme designed to disregard Biden's rightful win of Michigan's 16 electoral votes. Prosecutors say the group signed papers declaring themselves as the state's electors. The documents were then sent to the U.S. Senate and the National Archives.
