Many trick-or-treaters wore fabulous costumes at the Warren Harvest Treat event held at the Warren Community Center last week, but one costume worn by Macomb County Commissioner and Warren City Clerk candidate Mai Xiong drew the ire of city officials. Made.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Xiong was dressed like Barbie with a pink strapless dress, pearls and a pink shawl. While handing out candy from a pink purse, Xiong stood inside a giant Barbie doll box with a sign reading: “Vote for Mai Xiong for City Clerk on November 7.”
Warren City Attorney Ethan Vinson announced in a press release on October 24 that complaints had been filed with the Michigan Secretary of State last week against Xiong as well as four members of the Warren City Council.
The complaint filed against Xiong states that the Barbie box display must include the disclaimer “Paid for by the committee that selected Mae Xiong” and the committee’s full address and be cited in publicity on city property.
“Ms. Jeong is running to be Warren’s Chief Elections Officer, responsible for conducting free, fair, and open elections in our city, yet she disregarded the Parks Department’s clear guidance not to engage in political activities, Which was followed by every other candidate in office. At the event,” Vinson said. “I am confident that the Secretary of State will take swift and immediate action to prevent this type of activity from continuing.”
Xiong said she removed the sticker that said “Vote” on her Barbie box and a disclaimer and address on the box when Parks and Recreation Director Dino Turcato asked her to do so. She said she planned to use the costume at other events and knew she needed to have that information printed on the costume.
“Why are they picking on people of color?” Xiong, who is Asian, said. “I believe I am being singled out and intimidated by city staff because I am not their choice for city clerk.
“I’m very disappointed by this.”
Xiong said she has attended past Harvest Time events in Warren with her children and that she remembers other candidates for various offices being there and that she didn’t think that what she did would be similar to other candidates in the past. There was something different from what I had seen him do.
Complaints were also filed against Council Secretary Mindy Moore, District 4 Councilman Gary Watts and District 2 Councilman Jonathan Lafferty, alleging they were campaigning during the October 10 Warren City Council meeting.
The complaints allege that three council members were holding campaign literature and talking about the city council race during the meeting. Specifically, the complaints say Moore talked about the campaigns of District 2 candidate Adam Sawka and his opponent in District 3, Daniel Bozek, and the endorsements they received. The complaint against Watts states that he criticized the “Super Seven” slate of candidates, which also includes rivals of current City Council members. Lafferty is accused of possessing his opponents’ campaign literature and saying it was paid for with “dark money”.
Vinson said, “After instructing his personal attorney, paid for by Warren taxpayers, to file an earlier complaint against Mayor James Fouts, three current members of the City Council knowingly and willfully conducted political campaigns on city property and were are engaged in utilizing the resources of the “Mayor Fouts is not a candidate and her name is not on the ballot, but Ms. Moore, Mr. Lafferty, and Mr. Watts are running for election and their names are on the ballot.
“He should have known that his actions were potentially a violation of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act, and since no one is above the law, he should be held accountable for these actions.”
Gary Watts (Macomb Daily file photo)
Watts said he did not believe he or any other council member was campaigning during that or any other meeting.
“We didn’t endorse anyone,” Watts said. “There were two candidates who spoke during audience participation and we just pointed out that they were lying.
“This administration has done nothing but weaponize City Hall against the very citizens it is supposed to care about.”
Fouts said he attended the Warren Firefighter Cadet Graduation on October 25 and during the ceremony, Human Resources Director George Dimas was sitting on the stage and Fouts told the audience that Dimas was a candidate for mayor and then he threatened not to do so. Started criticizing the city council for this. To support his plan for the development of the city.
State investigating alleged campaign violations by Jim Fouts
Watts said he expects more campaign finance complaints to be filed against Fouts this week.
Last week the Secretary of State announced that the complaint filed against Fouts by Warren City Council special counsel Jeffrey Schroder alleges that he endorsed candidates during his annual State of the City address at Andiamo’s restaurant in June. Violated campaign finance laws, which was found to be true. , The Secretary of State’s Office said that based on the information provided, there is reason to believe that a potential violation has occurred.
During its October 24 regular meeting, the Warren City Council voted 4-2 to approve a resolution requesting that the Secretary of State issue the maximum fine of $20,000 on Fouts.
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Source: www.bing.com
