Michigan Congressman Thaddeus McCotter could face possible campaign fraud charges concerning the signing of petitions to get on the ballot FOX 2 reported.
Political reporter Tim Skubick says the five-term U.S. Representative from Livonia did not file enough petitions to appear on the ballot and now it appears a majority of those signatures that were filed were not valid.
Skubick says McCotter turned in about 2,000 signatures but according to the Michigan secretary of state's office only 244 were valid. That means the rest of the signatures are questionable which is why the Michigan State Attorney General's office is now looking into the possibility and will investigate as to whether there was a padding of signatures, phony signatures, phony circulators, all sorts of things that are against the law, Skubick said.
In a statement released Tuesday by his campaign, McCotter said he hoped the Michigan secretary of state's and attorney general's offices would investigate "the insufficient and irregular petitions" that kept him off the ballot.
"The buck stops with me," the Livonia Republican said. "That's why I urge the continued investigation into the petitions. Everyone deserves to know what happened regarding this filing."
McCotter, who briefly sought the GOP nomination to run for president last year before dropping out, made the stunning disclosure Friday that the secretary of state's office informed him he was about 1,000 valid signatures short of the threshold needed to get on the Aug. 7 primary ballot.
He had promised to announce on Tuesday the findings of an internal review.
He's running for re-election in Michigan's 11th Congressional District, which runs through parts of Oakland and Wayne counties, including the communities of Auburn Hills, Birmingham, Canton Township, Northville, Novi and Wixom, among others.
The other Republican in the race is Kerry Bentivolio, a Vietnam War veteran, teacher and beekeeper from Milford.
The 60-year-old told The Associated Press on Saturday he was "excited about" how McCotter's miscue might help his own campaign.
"It improves the chances for the average guy," Bentivolio said. "Do I feel different? Yeah, a lot more optimistic. I'm getting a lot of free publicity."
McCotter, 46, is a conservative who first was elected to Congress in 2002. He entered the GOP presidential race last July, but dropped out soon thereafter because his campaign had gained little traction.
William Roberts of Redford Township and Dr. Taj Syed of Canton Township are running in the 11th District Democratic primary.
Monday, May 13 2013 7:13 AM EDT2013-05-13 11:13:17 GMT
The undone stuff Gov. Snyder and Lt. Gov. Calley are still struggling to adopt is piling up like the garbage in your neighbor's backyard and it's beginning to stink.
The undone stuff Gov. Snyder and Lt. Gov. Calley are still struggling to adopt is piling up like the garbage in your neighbor's backyard and it's beginning to stink.
Tuesday, May 7 2013 8:21 AM EDT2013-05-07 12:21:59 GMT
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero has been the subject of this cross-examination for months as his Democratic Party continues its elongated and so far unsuccessful search for a candidate for governor.
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero has been the subject of this cross-examination for months as his Democratic Party continues its elongated and so far unsuccessful search for a candidate for governor.
Tuesday, April 30 2013 10:02 PM EDT2013-05-01 02:02:40 GMT
The Snyder administration is concerned that Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's support for Emergency Manager Kevin Orr "may go south" as Bing gears up for a possible re-election campaign.
The Snyder administration is concerned that Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's support for Emergency Manager Kevin Orr "may go south" as Bing gears up for a possible re-election campaign.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:20:11 GMT
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Thursday, May 23 2013 3:18 PM EDT2013-05-23 19:18:28 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:43 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:43:15 GMT
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan.
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan. The protesters said Thursday they want Wendy's to sign an agreement to safeguard working conditions for Florida tomato pickers.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:55:29 GMT
A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men seen running to and away from a homicide scene Tuesday night in Camden.
A $1,000 reward has been posted for information leading to the arrest and conviction of two men seen running to and away from a homicide scene Tuesday night in Camden.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:07:03 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:05 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:05:21 GMT
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z."
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z." Pitt stunned the crowd at the Clearview Cinemas when he walked in just before the start of the special screening.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:23:09 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
(Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com) Thaddeus McCotter
