Conspiracy charge reinstated against aide

LANSING (AP) - The Michigan Supreme Court has reinstated a conspiracy charge against a high-ranking aide to a congressman who was kept off the 2012 ballot because of bogus petition signatures.

The case involves Paul Seewald, who was district director for Thad McCotter, a Detroit-area Republican. McCotter was scratched from the primary ballot in 2012 and quit Congress, although he insisted he wasn't aware of the scheme.

Seewald was sentenced to probation for his role in the scandal, but a felony conspiracy charge was dismissed by a Wayne County judge. The appeals court agreed.

But in a unanimous decision Monday, the Supreme Court reversed that ruling. The ruling could also affect another McCotter aide, Don Yowchuang, who was charged with conspiracy.

Published: Wed, Apr 27, 2016