Election Fraud Sentencing and Restitution Order

AG: Michigan News

Filed March 18th, 2026

Detected March 19th, 2026

Summary

The Michigan Attorney General announced the sentencing of Shawn Wilmoth to 4 to 20 years in prison for conducting an election fraud criminal enterprise in the 2022 election cycle. Wilmoth was ordered to pay $376,601 in restitution to defrauded gubernatorial and judicial candidates.

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What changed

Shawn Wilmoth has been sentenced to 4 to 20 years in prison and ordered to pay $376,601 in restitution for conducting a criminal enterprise and defrauding multiple candidates during the 2022 Michigan election cycle. Wilmoth was convicted of charges including conducting a criminal enterprise, multiple counts of false pretenses, and election law forgery, after knowingly submitting tens of thousands of forged signatures on nomination petitions to campaigns that had paid him nearly $400,000 for valid signature collection.

This sentencing underscores the severe legal consequences for election fraud and the commitment of the Michigan Attorney General's office to prosecuting such offenses. Regulated entities involved in election processes, signature collection, or campaign finance should review their internal controls and compliance procedures to ensure adherence to election laws and prevent fraudulent activities. Failure to do so could result in criminal charges, significant financial penalties, and reputational damage.

What to do next

Review internal controls for election-related activities.
Ensure compliance with all state and federal election laws regarding signature collection and petition validity.
Consult legal counsel regarding potential exposure to election fraud charges.

Penalties

4 to 20 years incarceration and $376,601 in restitution.

Source document (simplified)

One Sentenced for Conducting Criminal Enterprise in 2022 Signature Collection Election Fraud Scheme

March 18, 2026

LANSING – Today, Shawn Wilmoth, of Warren, was sentenced by Judge James Maceroni in the 16 th Circuit Court in Macomb County to 4 to 20 years’ incarceration after being convicted by a Macomb County jury of conducting a criminal enterprise and defrauding gubernatorial candidates Donna Brandenburg, Mike Brown, Perry Johnson, and Michael Markey as well as judicial candidates Tricia Dare, John Cahalan, and John Michael Malone in the 2022 election cycle, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Wilmoth was also ordered to pay $376,601 in restitution to the victims.

The candidates contracted, directly or through intermediary consultants, with businesses owned and operated by Wilmoth for the fulfillment of their nomination signature requirements to appear on the August 2022 primary ballots. In total, Wilmoth charged the campaigns nearly $400,000 for valid signature collection, then knowingly delivered tens of thousands of forged signatures on nomination petitions to the campaigns.

“This defendant ran a calculated scheme that sabotaged candidates and stripped Michigan voters of choices in the 2022 election,” said Attorney General Nessel. “This conduct attacked the integrity of our electoral system, and I am proud of the work of my office and the Department of State in securing this sentence. We remain committed to fighting to hold those who commit election fraud accountable.”

Wilmoth was found guilty of:

1 count, Conducting a Criminal Enterprise;
2 counts, False Pretenses, $100,000 or more;
2 counts, False Pretenses, $50,000 to $100,000;
3 counts, False Pretenses, $20,000 to $50,000;
7 counts, Use of a Computer to Commit a Crime, $20,000 or more; and
7 counts, Election Law Forgery. The forgeries were quickly detected by the Michigan Bureau of Elections. The Department of State then referred the matter to the Department of Attorney General for investigation in June of 2022.

Wilmoth was convicted last month alongside co-defendant Willie Reed, of Pompano Beach, Florida. Reed will be sentenced before Judge Maceroni in the 16 th Circuit Court on March 31. Attorney General Nessel charged the defendants in September 2023.

MI Newswire Attorney General Press Release Election Media Contact:

Danny Wimmer

Press Secretary

agpress@michigan.gov

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