Fake Tea Party

Lansing, Mich., Feb. 1, 2013 – Michigan Republican Party Chairman Bobby Schostak today called on Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper to reopen her investigation into the fake Tea Party scandal of 2010, based upon new information. One of the convicted parties has now stated that Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer was actually behind the scheme. Schostak also urged Sen. Gretchen Whitmer to join him in calling for Brewer to resign and distance herself from the scandal-ridden chairman in order to eliminate the ongoing corruption scandals emerging from the Democratic Party.

“Mark Brewer lied, he has a pattern of lying and in this case he could likely face criminal charges,” said Schostak. “Sen. Whitmer stood with Brewer, in her public office, and together they launched a political attack against Speaker Bolger, now it’s time for Whitmer to stand-up and do what is right by joining with me and calling on Mark Brewer to resign rather than defending his shameful behavior.”

In 2011, Michael McGuinness and Jason Bauer, two Democratic operatives in Oakland County, were charged and later convicted of several felonies relating to the creation of a fake Tea Party. McGuinness and Bauer obtained candidates for the fake Tea Party by forging names and signatures to election documents. At the time, Mark Brewer denied any role in the fake Tea Party.

On January 31, in a blog post on a well known Michigan Democratic website, McGuinness revealed that Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer had masterminded the plot from the beginning.

On the blog Michigan Liberal, McGuinness stated:

If McGuinness’s allegations are true, then Mark Brewer lied numerous times about his role and involvement in the fake Tea Party scheme.

Bauer and McGuinness were charged with three counts of forged records, a 14-year felony; three counts of false swearing, a five-year felony; and, one count of false swearing-perjury a five-year felony. Bauer was also charged with three counts of violating the Notary Public Act.

“It is unfortunate that it took this long for the truth to come out. Republicans, tea party activists and even fellow Michigan Democrats have said all along that this elaborate scheme to defraud the voters of Michigan clearly rose to a higher level than the two local activists rightfully convicted for their part in it. Now we know the truth, it went all the way to the top of the Michigan Democratic Party and Mark Brewer. ” 

Brewer has consistently denied involvement in the scheme. However, the details have always seemed to indicate otherwise.

• The original leader of the so-called “Tea Party” refused to reveal who funded the extensive petition drive needed to place the party on the Michigan ballot. (Tea Party leader: Dems not involved with effort, Detroit Free Press, July 17, 2010)
• The firm hired to conduct the petition drive, Progressive Campaigns Inc, had ties to both national and Michigan Democrats, including the Democrats’ failed Reform Michigan Now initiative to rewrite the Michigan Constitution. (Democratic Party Political Director Linked to Mysterious Tea Party Political Party, Michigan Capitol Confidential, July 28, 2010)
• Well-known Michigan Democrat pollster Mark Grebner has also indicated more than once that he believed there was a vaster plot behind the fake party, saying, “It feels like a scheme.” (Fake Tea Brewing, Michigan Capitol Confidential, May 21, 2010)

The Michigan Republican Party has sent a copy of the above request and blog to Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper.

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