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Two Michigan allies of former U.S. President Donald Trump were charged in connection with an effort to illegally access and tamper with voting machines in the state after the 2020 election, prosecutors announced on Tuesday.
Attorney Matthew DePerno was charged with undue possession of a voting machine and conspiracy, while Daire Rendon, a former Republican state representative, was charged with conspiracy to commit undue possession of a voting machine and false pretenses, special prosecutor D.J. Hilson announced in a news release.
DePerno, who was endorsed by Trump in an unsuccessful run for Michigan attorney general last year, acknowledged in a statement that he was arraigned Tuesday, but his lawyer said that he denies any wrongdoing.
The charges come the same day Trump was charged by the U.S. Justice Department with conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and other counts as part of his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
DePerno and Rendon are among nine people in Michigan named thus far by Attorney General Dana Nessel's office as having been involved in the election scheme.
A state judge ruled last month that it is a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, to take a machine without a court order or permission directly from the Secretary of State's office.
In a separate investigation, Nessel announced eight criminal charges each last month against 16 Republicans who she said submitted false certificates as electors for then-President Trump in Michigan. The charges include forgery and conspiracy to commit election forgery.
（AP）
