Fake Tea Party Scam Ends In Fraud Convictions
By Jarrett Skorup | Jan. 12, 2012
Jason Bauer, a former Oakland Country Democratic Party official, was sentenced to one year of probation and $2,600 in fines for his involvement with a 2010 fake Tea Party scheme. Bauer is the second person involved in the plot to be sentenced. Former Oakland County Democratic Party Chair Mike McGuinness pleaded no contest in October to charges of perjury and forgery.
Capitol Confidential broke the story of the fake "Tea Party" in July of 2010 in the article, "Democratic Party Political Director Linked to Mysterious Tea Party Political Party."
The Tea Party fraud was initially caught by blogger Jason Gillman, who writes at www.RightMichigan.com. Gillman won an award from the Sam Adam's Alliance for "Watchdog" reporting. At the time, Gillman said, "Make no mistake, bloggers are useful for digging up info, exposing corruption, underhandedness, etc., but ultimately, … even the important unearthed truths must pass through established and credible sources. In this case my go-to was the Mackinac Center, and specifically Capitol Confidential."
Subsequent CapCon stories on the fake Tea Party are here:
Fake Political Party Runs Mystery Candidates
Tea Party Candidate Identity Statements Could Be Invalid
Fake Tea Brewing
A Lawyer Offering Few Details is Face of Mysterious 'The Tea Party'
Mysterious 'The Tea Party' Under Investigation and Going to Court
BREAKING NEWS: Oakland County Clerk claims forged candidate filing from "fake" Tea Party
