11/19/12 - A local woman who served as an aide to a Detroit-area congressman has been arraigned on charges tied to a campaign scandal in Oakland County Circuit Court. Mary Turnbull of Iosco Township worked for former- Congressman Thaddeus McCotter. The Livonia Republican didn't make the 2012 ballot after a staff member submitted bogus petition signatures. The 58-year-old Turnbull is charged with conspiracy and falsely signing a nominating petition. A Troy judge previously determined there was enough evidence to bind the case over to circuit court for trial. She will appear there for a pre-trial hearing January 8th. Authorities say Turnbull asked Doug Bauss to sign his name as a petition circulator, although she actually collected the names. Bauss previously testified Turnbull told him she couldnât be listed as the circulator because her Iosco Township address was outside of McCotterâs district. McCotter's district director and deputy director face conspiracy charges in Wayne County. A fourth staffer pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor. McCotter has not been charged and didn't know about the petition problems, but was forced to resign from Congress in July. (JK)
↧