LANSING – Yesterday, the Honorable Robert J. Jonker of the US District Court for the Western District of Michigan Southern Division rejected the Notice of Removal of State Court Action to Federal Court filed by Amy Facchinello, 55, of Grand Blanc. 

Facchinello, who is charged with eight felony counts stemming from the alleged False Electors scheme pertaining to the 2020 presidential election in Michigan, sought removal of her case to a federal court invoking federal officer jurisdiction in September. In his Opinion and Order, Judge Jonker concluded “Defendant Facchinello was not a federal officer…and did not act under a federal officer when taking part in the events that allegedly violated Michigan criminal law.” Judge Jonker also declared, “...presidential electors themselves are not federal officers. Moreover, Defendant Facchinello never became an actual presidential elector anyway."

“... even though electors perform a federal function, their authority derives from the States, not the federal government,” Judge Jonker later concluded. The prosecution of Facchinello was remanded back to the Ingham County District Court. 

After the dismissal of charges against James Renner, 76, of Lansing, per a cooperation agreement, 15 defendants remain in the State prosecution. Each has pled not guilty to eight felony charges, and preliminary exams are scheduled for 12 defendants at the 54-A District Court in Ingham County before Judge Kristen Simmons, as follows: 

December 13-14, 2023: 

• Kathy Berden, 70, of Snover 
• Amy Facchinello, 55, of Grand Blanc 
• John Haggard, 82, of Charlevoix 
• Mari-Ann Henry, 65, of Brighton 
• Michele Lundgren, 73, of Detroit 
• Meshawn Maddock, 55, of Milford 
• Ken Thompson, 68, of Orleans 

January 30-31, 2024: 

• William (Hank) Choate, 72, of Cement City 
• Stanley Grot, 71, of Shelby Township 
• Mayra Rodriguez, 64, of Grosse Pointe Farms 
• Rose Rook, 81, of Paw Paw 
• Kent Vanderwood, 69, of Wyoming 

Preliminary examinations are yet to be scheduled for the following: 

• Clifford Frost, 75, of Warren 
• Timothy King, 56, of Ypsilanti 
• Marian Sheridan, 69, of West Bloomfield