Matthew DePerno, the Michigan lawyer who rose to prominence after challenging the 2020 Antrim County results, spent about 90 minutes Wednesday before a state House subcommittee in Lansing, urging Republican lawmakers to dig into how much the state has spent on the tabulator-related criminal case against him. He argued that the Legislature, which controls appropriations, should weigh whether the attorney general’s office has enforced the law neutrally.
DePerno Pressures GOP Lawmakers On Prosecutor’s Budget
Addressing members of the House subcommittee on the “weaponization of state government,” DePerno said lawmakers should examine the costs tied to the investigation and prosecution, noting he did not know how much had been spent so far. As reported by The Detroit News, state Rep. Angela Rigas publicly backed DePerno and said the panel would work with him on oversight.
Prosecutors Say Tabulators Were Hauled To Oakland County
Court filings and reporting say prosecutors allege local clerks in Barry, Missaukee and Roscommon counties were convinced to hand over five tabulators that were later transported to Oakland County for private testing and “experiments” in hotels and private residences. Those allegations, including claims the machines were kept longer than clerks expected and were returned in stages, are outlined in filings and reporting by Bridge Michigan.
Why A Special Prosecutor Took Over The Case
The attorney general’s office requested a special prosecutor after determining there could be a conflict of interest because Dana Nessel ran against DePerno in 2022; Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson was appointed to the case. DePerno was the Republican nominee for attorney general in 2022 and has denied wrongdoing while saying the charges are politically motivated, according to The Associated Press.
Charges, Grand Jury And Election-Security Concerns
Hilson convened a grand jury and, in 2023, announced indictments charging DePerno, former state Rep. Daire Rendon and attorney Stefanie Lambert with counts including undue possession of a voting machine and conspiracy. Election‑security experts and local clerks told reporters that the indictments reflect statutes meant to protect voting equipment and that some participants were characterized by prosecutors as having been misled, as reported by Votebeat.
Felony Stakes And Parallel Tracks In Court And Capitol
Michigan law and a court ruling make clear that taking a tabulator without a court order or the secretary of state’s permission can amount to a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, a legal standard cited in reporting and filings. Court calendars show status conferences and pretrial motions are ongoing in Oakland County while lawmakers consider whether to open any formal spending review; prosecutors say the criminal case will continue on its own track, according to The Associated Press.
Republican state Rep. Angela Rigas introduced DePerno at the hearing and reiterated support for a legislative review, saying the subcommittee would work with him to “rein this in,” per reporting by The Detroit News. Lawmakers will decide whether to open a formal budget or audit inquiry while the courts continue to process pretrial matters.
