Former Adams Township Clerk Stephanie Scott and her attorney Stefanie Lambert are facing charges in Michigan over a voter data breach related to the 2020 election. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced on Wednesday that Scott and Lambert allowed an unauthorized computer examiner to access voter data, including non-public information, concerning the 2020 General Election. Scott is facing five felony charges and a misdemeanor, including concealing or withholding a voting machine and using a computer to commit a crime, while Lambert is facing three felony charges, including using a computer to commit a crime. It is unclear how they have pleaded.
Both Scott and Lambert have been promoting conspiracy theories about the results of the 2020 presidential election in Michigan. Nessel emphasized the importance of election security and integrity, stating that those who promote baseless conspiracies, show disregard for voter privacy, and break the law must be held accountable for their actions. Lambert’s attorney, Daniel Hartman, has denied that she violated any laws and stated that she remains committed to transparency regarding election data, processes, and procedures. Lambert did not respond to a request for comment from NBC News.
Lambert is accused of illegally transmitting data from the township’s Electronic Poll Book concerning the 2020 General Election under Scott’s direction. Scott is alleged to have intentionally disregarded instructions to hand over a voting tabulator for maintenance and testing, leading Michigan State Police to seize the tabulator as part of a search warrant. Both Lambert and Scott have a history of election denialism, with Lambert attempting to overturn President Joe Biden’s 2020 Michigan election win through a lawsuit and Scott promoting election-related conspiracy theories. In 2021, Scott was barred from running the township’s local election after failing to ensure voting security, eventually being voted out of office in a recall election.
Lambert was arrested in March following a sanctions hearing related to allegations that she shared confidential emails from Dominion Voting Systems. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges surrounding election security and the importance of holding individuals accountable for violating election laws. The charges against Scott and Lambert underscore the potential consequences of promoting baseless conspiracies and disregarding voter privacy, as well as the significance of transparency in election data and processes. The legal proceedings in Michigan serve as a reminder of the critical role that election officials play in upholding the integrity of the democratic process and ensuring that elections are conducted fairly and securely.
