The head of the Michigan Democratic Party says the people behind the effort to recall House Speaker Andy Dillon have committed fraud and forgery. After having staff and an outside public relations firm give the petitions a thorough examination, Party Chairman Mark Brewer detailed what he claims was widespread illegal conduct in the now all but defunct effort to recall the speaker.

Party leaders are calling on the Secretary of State to launch a criminal investigation against recall organizer Leon Drolet and the entire campaign.

“Leon Drolet’s failed campaign to recall Speaker Dillon used widespread forgery, fraud and deception to collect signatures to attempt to qualify for the ballot,” Brewer said. “Fortunately, it appears that our democratic process will be protected as these illegal tactics continue to be exposed – and they are being exposed by the hundreds, if not thousands.”

The complaint included what it said were 499 documented forgeries and nearly 2,000 additional suspected forgeries, indicating a widespread campaign to commit fraud, forgery and deceit. A few of the examples Brewer showed the media included a claim by Redford Township Fire Chief Leslie Wedge that his name was forged on a recall petition. The Detroit News reports Wedge has filed a complaint with Redford Township police.

Brewer said another petition carried the forged address and signature of a couple who lived about a mile north of Wedge. The man died in 1975, while his wife passed away in January.

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   At least four petition circulators are from outside the Redford Township/Dearborn Heights/Livonia district and are in fact registered as Detroit residents, a violation of election law.

Brewer also charges that signature gatherers cruised Detroit homeless shelters and paid homeless people $1 each to forge signatures right out of the phone book.

“This isn’t a case of a few bad apples – the whole bushel is rotten,” said Mark Fisk, partner of Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications, the lead consultant in the effort to beat back the recall. “Fraud, deception and forgery have no place in our democratic process. No one should have to go to sleep at night wondering if their good name will wind up being forged or misused by criminals. We urge law enforcement agencies to prosecute violators and those like Drolet who unleashed this crime wave to the fullest extent of the law.”

Mary Ellen Gurewitz, of Sachs Waldman, attorneys for the recall opponents, said: “Our complaint shows a pattern of fraud, forgery and deception. There is compelling and abundant evidence that the entire recall campaign was permeated by illegal acts. We urge the authorities to undertake a thorough investigation to prosecute those responsible for this travesty.”

Speaker Dillon has released no public statement about the recall effort, but his spokesperson says the information from Brewer shows there was no support for a recall in the speaker’s home district. Greg Bird said it was unfortunate that there was deceptive action in the district. Bird said he expects authorities to look into any possible violations of the law and that civil action is being explored.

The Secretary of State’s office has not commented on this case except to say the office will do what is required by law and investigate the allegations made by Brewer and the Democrats.

Leon Drolet denies the charges by Brewer. The former House member who is now chair of the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance told Michigan Messenger even though the Secretary of State has released a preliminary report saying there are not enough signatures, the final report won’t come out until June 5. He says his organization has checked and some of the signatures are valid and he believes when that report comes out, there will be enough valid signatures. Drolet says he personally went to several addresses listed on some petitions where people’s signatures had been ruled invalid. He says they told him they did sign the petitions and claims several were indignant that their intentions were questioned.

Drolet admits there may have been forged or improper signatures, but says that happens all the time in petition drives. He also claims some of the invalid signatures were made by Dillon supporters who wanted to see the recall fail, and charges that Gurewitz hired people to sign petitions.

[Editor’s note: Byrum & Fisk provides public relations services to Michigan Messenger]