Democrat vote fraud is epidemic.

Man on probation,
fined for role in tea
party scam

A former Oakland County Democratic Party
operative was sentenced to a year of p
robation and ordered to pay more than
$2,500 in fines and court costs for his role
in creating fake tea party candidates
during the 2010 election in an effort to
siphon off support for Republican
candidates.

Jason Bauer, 31, of Waterford said nothing
Wednesday as Oakland County Circuit
Judge James Alexander, a former official
with the county's Republican Party, told
Bauer: "This is as heinous as someone who
tries to kill somebody else."

In November, Bauer pleaded no contest to
five felony counts of perjury and falsifying
notarized documents.

He and fellow Democratic official Michael
McGuinness were indicted by a one-man
grand jury in March for attempting to put
unknowing residents on the ballot as tea
party candidates.

Investigators said the ruse was an attempt
to dilute the votes of legitimate Republican
candidates.

McGuinness also pleaded no contest; he
was sentenced to probation in December.
During sentencing Wednesday, Alexander
told Bauer his political career was over for
engaging in what Alexander called "political
shenanigans."

"My sentence pales compared to what
you've done to yourself," Alexander said.

Bauer left without talking to reporters.

Matt Frendewey, the communications
director for the Michigan Republican Party,
said after the hearing: "Justice has been
served and we are very pleased that these
two have been held accountable."

Contact L.L. Brasier: 248-858-2262 or
brasier@freepress.com