Two right-wing figures known for perpetuating conspiracy theories are facing charges in Michigan for their latest reported robocall scheme intended to suppress voter turnout.
On Thursday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed multiple charges against Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman, hoaxers who attempted to manufacture sexual assault claims against former special counsel Robert Mueller, former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, and leading infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci. Thursday’s election law charges are related to alleged robocalls to suppress voter turnout.
Nessel said the charges include “one count of election law – intimidating voters, a five-year felony; one count of conspiracy to commit an election law violation, a five-year felony; one count of using a computer to commit the crime of election law – intimidating voters, a seven-year felony; and using a computer to commit the crime of conspiracy, a seven-year felony.”
Calls were made in August to 12,000 residents with the area code 313, specifically targeting urban areas in the Detroit area, according to the announcement. Nessel’s office communicated with the other state attorneys general, including New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois, and found they reported similar robocalls to minority residents, totaling up to 85,000 nationally.
“This effort specifically targeted minority voters in an attempt to deter them from voting in the November election. We’re all well aware of the frustrations caused by the millions of nuisance robocalls flooding our cell phones and landlines each day, but this particular message poses grave consequences for our democracy and the principles upon which it was built. Michigan voters are entitled to a full, free and fair election in November and my office will not hesitate to pursue those who jeopardize that,” Nessel said.
Michigan authorities were investigating calls that told residents mail-in ballot information could be “used by police departments to track down old warrants” and “used by credit card companies to collect outstanding debts.”
It also said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would use information on ballots to identify individuals for mandatory vaccinations. The voice on the call identified itself as an employee of “Project 1599, a civil rights organization founded by Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl.”
The state encourages voters to report to authorities if they received the calls.
