Detroit Voters' Voting Rights Targeted by Right-Wing Robocall Campaign Sentencers Get Lenient Probation Sentence
In a highly publicized case, two right-wing operatives who orchestrated a racist robocall campaign to suppress turnout among Black voters in Detroit were handed down relatively lenient sentences. Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl pleaded no contest to charges of creating and funding the series of false robocalls in 2020 that pushed baseless claims about voting by mail.
The targeted robocalls, which were sent to nearly 12,000 numbers linked to Detroit addresses in late August 2020, falsely warned recipients that their personal information used on mail-in ballots could lead to arrests for outstanding arrest warrants or be used to collect unpaid credit card debts. The calls also claimed that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could use the information to track people for mandatory vaccines.
The defendants admitted to creating the false robocalls, which were masquerading as communications from a supposed civil rights group called Project 1599. They falsely warned recipients not to provide their private information to vote by mail.
The Michigan Attorney General's Office personally appeared at the hearing and condemned the scheme. "The defendants' conduct used every racist dog whistle – fear of incarceration, fear of the government and fear of one's benefits being taken away – to steal the most fundamental right that we often take for granted: the right to vote," said Dana Nessel.
Under a Cobbs agreement, Judge Margaret VanHouten handed down a relatively lenient sentence of one year of probation for Burkman and Wohl. If they commit any further crimes while on probation, they could face jail time. The judge warned them that continuing to engage in criminal behavior while on probation would be considered a violation.
The Michigan Attorney General's Office was not part of the Cobbs agreement, which allowed the defendants to receive an advance estimate of their sentence in exchange for a plea. The case had previously moved through years of appeals before reaching its conclusion.
Both Burkman and Wohl still face further consequences elsewhere. In a separate civil action, they agreed to pay up to $1.25 million for similar voter suppression robocalls in multiple states.
In a highly publicized case, two right-wing operatives who orchestrated a racist robocall campaign to suppress turnout among Black voters in Detroit were handed down relatively lenient sentences. Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl pleaded no contest to charges of creating and funding the series of false robocalls in 2020 that pushed baseless claims about voting by mail.
The targeted robocalls, which were sent to nearly 12,000 numbers linked to Detroit addresses in late August 2020, falsely warned recipients that their personal information used on mail-in ballots could lead to arrests for outstanding arrest warrants or be used to collect unpaid credit card debts. The calls also claimed that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could use the information to track people for mandatory vaccines.
The defendants admitted to creating the false robocalls, which were masquerading as communications from a supposed civil rights group called Project 1599. They falsely warned recipients not to provide their private information to vote by mail.
The Michigan Attorney General's Office personally appeared at the hearing and condemned the scheme. "The defendants' conduct used every racist dog whistle – fear of incarceration, fear of the government and fear of one's benefits being taken away – to steal the most fundamental right that we often take for granted: the right to vote," said Dana Nessel.
Under a Cobbs agreement, Judge Margaret VanHouten handed down a relatively lenient sentence of one year of probation for Burkman and Wohl. If they commit any further crimes while on probation, they could face jail time. The judge warned them that continuing to engage in criminal behavior while on probation would be considered a violation.
The Michigan Attorney General's Office was not part of the Cobbs agreement, which allowed the defendants to receive an advance estimate of their sentence in exchange for a plea. The case had previously moved through years of appeals before reaching its conclusion.
Both Burkman and Wohl still face further consequences elsewhere. In a separate civil action, they agreed to pay up to $1.25 million for similar voter suppression robocalls in multiple states.
but I'm trying not to focus on the negatives... Let's just say that it's crazy that these guys were able to get away with something as sinister as that robocall campaign for so long 
. But at least they're being held accountable now! The judge's warning them about committing further crimes while on probation is a good reminder that there will be consequences 
.
. It's not right that these guys were able to use racist dog whistles to scare people into not voting, but at least we can take some small comfort in knowing that the system is working to address it 
.
. I know one year of probation might seem like a lot to some people, but it feels like a pretty light sentence considering what these guys did 
. But hey, at least they can't just walk away and start something new without facing any consequences 
.
I'm not surprised about the lenient sentence given to those guys... it's like, what can you expect from our justice system when politics are involved? 
I mean, they were trying to suppress votes and spread lies, but I guess that's just a gray area for some people. 
It's actually kinda messed up that they're still walking free after creating so much stress and fear for Black voters in Detroit. 
The judge should've given them a harsher sentence, imo... 5 years or something! 
I'm glad the Michigan AG office was vocal about condemning their scheme, though. 
, I mean what's gonna stop them from doing this again? It's just so unfair that these people think they can get away with this kinda stuff 
. The worst part is that they're already facing another civil action and they have to pay out a pretty penny 
. I'm all for them having a second chance, but it feels like it should be more... substantial 
.
. I mean, can you believe that these two guys got off with like a slap on the wrist? One year of probation is basically a joke. I know the judge had to consider the plea deal and all, but come on! They're essentially getting a get out of jail free card for trying to suppress votes from Black people in Detroit. It's just not right 
. I'm still trying to wrap my head around this whole thing and how two guys could get away with such blatant voter suppression 
. It's like they're thinking we're all so gullible 
. And what really grinds my gears is that this isn't an isolated incident - we've seen it happen in so many other places 
. We need to make sure our voting rights are protected, no matter what 
.