Sandra Baxter Pleads Guilty in ‘Unlock Michigan’ Campaign Probe
LANSING, Mich. – In a significant development tied to the controversial “Unlock Michigan” initiative, 65-year-old Sandra Baxter of Caledonia has admitted to providing false information during a criminal investigation related to campaign finance practices.
Baxter, a fundraising consultant tied to Michigan! My Michigan! group, has confessed in court on Tuesday that she lied about her participation in the case to the police. This was the part of the inquiry into the probable contraventions of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act connected with the “Unlock Michigan” ballot initiative – an intense flashpoint of the campaign, which aimed to restrict the state governor’s emergency powers.
What the Charges Mean
Baxter has been slapped with a misdemeanor charge for intentionally providing false information during a criminal investigation, which is an offense that is punishable by up to one year in prison or a fine of not more than $2,500. Though perjury was the charge she was facing since last February 2024, her admission of guilt at Tuesday’s hearing was for a misdemeanor instead.
It is the contention of the government that one of the false statements of Baxter was said under oath during official questioning for the case.
The Background
The issue originated in a complaint filed by Robert LaBrant in May 2021 where he claimed that Michigan! My Michigan! served as a “dark money” vehicle that siphoned the funds into the Unlock Michigan campaign – a move that had likely jammed the state campaign finance machine. The complaint was later relayed to the Michigan Attorney General’s office in June 2022.
Unlock Michigan was already the subject of heated political discussions in the state, with claims of financial shuffling behind the scenes only intensifying its severity.
What’s Next
Currently, the date when Baxter will be sentenced is August 13, 2025, in the 30th Circuit Court. There is a possible jail sentence or fines at stake for her, but this case is also a strong declaration from Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office that they are serious about campaign finance investigations and that the legal implications of deceiving the examiners will be definitely enforced.
