The Michigan Attorney General announced charges against former Adams Township Clerk Stephanie Scott and her lawyer Stefanie Lambert for unauthorized access to voting systems in a search for election fraud. The charges include multiple felonies, such as unauthorized computer access and using a computer to commit a crime. Attorney General Dana Nessel emphasized the importance of holding officials accountable for promoting baseless conspiracies that undermine the democratic process.
The charges against Scott and Lambert are part of a larger trend of individuals in various states being charged for allowing unauthorized access to election systems in a bid to find evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Despite multiple reviews, audits, and recounts confirming Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump, some election clerks, including those in Colorado and Georgia, perpetuated conspiracy theories about voting machines. Scott allegedly ignored instructions from the Michigan Secretary of State and withheld her township’s voting tabulator until it was seized by Michigan State Police.
President Biden won Michigan by a significant margin in the 2020 election, with nearly 155,000 votes more than former President Trump. A GOP-led investigation in 2021 also confirmed the outcome. Lambert’s attorney asserted that his client did not violate the law and remains committed to promoting transparency in election data and procedures. Scott, who was recalled from her position in 2023, faced issues with preparing for the November 2021 election, prompting concerns about accuracy and ethics. She was eventually barred from her duties for failing to comply with maintenance and testing protocols.
In a separate case, Lambert, a pro-Trump attorney, has also been charged with improperly accessing voting equipment and previously sued to overturn Trump’s loss in Michigan. The Hillsdale County clerk’s office discovered that a tablet containing critical software and the operating system had been removed from election equipment when preparing for an accuracy test. Michigan State Police intervened after Scott refused to turn over the tablet, highlighting the seriousness of the alleged misconduct. Scott’s actions raise questions about the integrity of the election process and the responsibility of officials to uphold legal and ethical standards in conducting elections.
The charges against Scott and Lambert underscore the importance of maintaining the integrity and security of election systems to uphold democracy and ensure trust in the electoral process. As more individuals are held accountable for their actions in attempting to undermine election results through unauthorized access to voting systems, it sends a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated. The legal repercussions faced by Scott and Lambert serve as a cautionary tale for others who may be tempted to abuse their positions of authority for personal or political gain. Ultimately, the significance of these charges lies in upholding the principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability in the electoral process.
