Nessel announces charges related to 2020 Hillsdale County voter data breach • Michigan Advance

Updated, 7:51 p.m., 8/05/24

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced charges Wednesday against former Adams Township Clerk Stephanie Scott and her attorney, Stefanie Lambert Junttila, alleging the two allowed an unauthorized computer examiner to access to voter data regarding the 2020 election, which included non-public information.

In a statement, the Michigan Department of Attorney General said Scott, a Republican, failed to heed several instructions from the elections director to take the Adams Township vote tabulator to an authorized vendor for maintenance and testing. The department said Scott held the tabulator until it was seized by Michigan State Police executing a search warrant.

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The department also alleges that Lambert Juntilla illicitly transmitted data regarding the 2020 general election from the Adams Township electronic poll book at Scott’s direction.

“Ensuring the security and integrity of elections is a cornerstone of our democracy,” said Nessel, a Democrat. “When elected officials and their proxies use their positions to promote baseless conspiracies, demonstrate blatant disregard for voter privacy, and break the law, it undermines the very essence of the democratic process. Those who engage in such reckless conduct must be held accountable for their actions. »

Lambert Juntilla has already been charged for allegedly attempting to access and tamper with voting machines after the 2020 election, alongside former state Rep. Daire Rendon (R-Lake City) and former GOP attorney general nominee , Matt DePerno. The case of Lambert Juntilla expected to be judged on October 21.

Scott was stripped of its electoral administration power speak Michigan Office of Elections in 2021, then was ousted in a recall in 2023.

Michigan State Police referred the case to the Department of Attorney General following a investigation into possible violations of electoral law.

Juntilla’s attorney, Dan Hartman, sent a statement in response to the accusations.

“Stefanie Lambert did not break the law,” he said. “His efforts to identify and hold powerful entities accountable for violations of election law created an enterprise that acted openly to cover up their crimes. I spoke to Stefanie who remains steadfast in her efforts to bring transparency to the people’s election data, processes and procedures.

Scott faces the following charges:

One count of using a computer to commit a crime, a seven-year felony
One count of Computers – Unauthorized Access, a five-year felony
One count of conspiracy to commit computer crime – unauthorized access, a five-year felony
One count of misconduct in office, a five-year felony
One count of concealing or retaining a voting machine, a five-year felony
One count of disobeying a lawful instruction or order of the Secretary of State as Chief Election Officer, a 90-day misdemeanor

Lambert Junttila was charged with the following:

One count of using a computer to commit a crime, a seven-year felony
One count of Computers – Unauthorized Access, a five-year felony
One count of conspiracy to commit computer crime – unauthorized access, a five-year felony