LANSING — Michigan officeholders’ quiet use of accounts and organizations that can accept unlimited amounts of money from secret donors has become commonplace in Lansing.

A new investigation by the Michigan Campaign Finance Network found links between a majority of the 148 lawmakers serving last year and accounts or organizations that could raise money from sources known to the lawmaker but unknown to the public.

Where does the money end up? That can be a mystery as well.

MCFN examined hundreds of voluntary disclosures made by corporations about their political giving, tax documents, state business filings, previously published articles and fundraising invitations to arrive at the conclusion that most state lawmakers serving in 2018 had connections to an account that could raise money from secret donors. MCFN also spoke with about 20 sources for this report.

To read MCFN's new report on the growth of fundraising accounts that are tied to lawmakers and that can accept corporate contributions, follow this link.