Great Lakes Wire

LANSING – In the 54A District Court in Lansing, Judge Kristen Simmons has bound Sandy Baxter, 64, of Caledonia, over to stand trial in the 30th Circuit Court in Ingham County. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that Baxter was charged in February with one count of perjury, a 15-year felony, for allegedly lying under oath during testimony to state prosecutors and special agents investigating a fundraising scheme related to the Unlock Michigan ballot question initiative.

In May 2021, Robert LaBrant filed a complaint with the Michigan Department of State's office alleging a "dark money scheme" to use Michigan! My Michigan!, a 501(c)(4), to fund the Unlock Michigan ballot question initiative in violation of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act. The Department of State referred LaBrant’s complaint to the Department of Attorney General on June 3rd, 2022.

The Department of Attorney General launched an investigation into these allegations and later charged Baxter, a fundraising consultant soliciting funds for Michigan! My Michigan!, with perjury for allegedly lying to state investigators during this investigation.

“Misleading state investigators while providing testimony under oath is a serious crime with significant legal penalties,” Nessel said. “Perjury undermines our ability to seek the truth and, ultimately, justice.”

Baxter is scheduled for arraignment in the 30th Circuit Court in Ingham County on August 21st, 2024.

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Please note: For all criminal proceedings, a criminal charge is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Department does not provide booking photos.