LANSING – Today, in the 54A District Court in Lansing, Judge Kristen Simmons bound Heather Lombardini, 47, of Okemos, over to stand trial in the 30th Circuit Court in Ingham County, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Lombardini, who was charged in February, was bound over on one count of Uttering and Publishing and one count of Forgery, both are 14-year felonies. 

In May 2021, Robert LaBrant filed a complaint with the Michigan Department of State’s (PDF) office alleging a “dark money scheme” to use Michigan Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility and Michigan! My Michigan!, both of which are 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporations to fund the Unlock Michigan ballot question initiative in violation of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act.  The Department of State referred LaBrant’s complaint to the Department of Attorney General on June 3, 2022. 

The Department of Attorney General launched an investigation into the allegations made in the complaint and later charged Lombardini, the treasurer for Michigan! My Michigan! and the president of Michigan Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility, for allegedly soliciting and receiving contributions for the Unlock Michigan ballot initiative.   

"Our ballot initiative process is meant to give a voice to the public, but the integrity of this process depends on transparency," Nessel said. "Campaign finance disclosure laws are put in place to ensure Michigan voters can discern who is funding policies in our state. Decisions made behind closed doors to serve the interests of politicians, government operatives, and wealthy donors undermine the very purpose of these initiatives. I am pleased that this case is now headed to trial as it brings us closer to protecting the transparency our government should strive to uphold." 

Lombardini’s next court date has not yet been set.