By Alethia Kasben
Gongwer News Service
Heather Lombardini last week pleaded guilty to using a computer to commit a crime, a misdemeanor, as part of the plea agreement that dismissed the original charges against her.
Lombardini, co-founder of the Bright Spark Strategies firm, was bound over for trial in September 2024 for one count of uttering and publishing and one count of forgery, both 14-year felonies.
She was required to pay $125 as part of her sentencing.
Court records for the Ingham County Circuit Court show Lombardini pleaded guilty to using a computer to commit a crime, a misdemeanor, on June 30. The records say the other charges were dismissed as part of an agreement.
The Department of Attorney General, which was trying the case, confirmed Lombardini pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor. There was no further statement on the deal from the department.
Lombardini was set to start trial on July 8. Staff in Judge Wanda Stokes’ office confirmed on Tuesday the trial was no longer on the docket.
Lombardini paid $125 in fines, according to court records. She did not receive any probation or jail time.
Lombardini oversaw two funds connected to former Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey as the president of Michigan’s Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility and treasurer of Michigan! My Michigan!, which the Department of Attorney General and the Department of State alleged was soliciting funds for a ballot proposal to repeal emergency power laws for the governor.
Prosecutors alleged the two funds specifically sought dollars to be used for the Unlock Michigan initiative petition and raising funds through the nonprofits meant individuals could contribute without being revealed. Although Lombardini has said the funds were not raised for Unlock Michigan, affidavits filed revealed there were many checks to the nonprofits with “Unlock Michigan” in the memo line.
Gongwer News Service
Heather Lombardini last week pleaded guilty to using a computer to commit a crime, a misdemeanor, as part of the plea agreement that dismissed the original charges against her.
Lombardini, co-founder of the Bright Spark Strategies firm, was bound over for trial in September 2024 for one count of uttering and publishing and one count of forgery, both 14-year felonies.
She was required to pay $125 as part of her sentencing.
Court records for the Ingham County Circuit Court show Lombardini pleaded guilty to using a computer to commit a crime, a misdemeanor, on June 30. The records say the other charges were dismissed as part of an agreement.
The Department of Attorney General, which was trying the case, confirmed Lombardini pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor. There was no further statement on the deal from the department.
Lombardini was set to start trial on July 8. Staff in Judge Wanda Stokes’ office confirmed on Tuesday the trial was no longer on the docket.
Lombardini paid $125 in fines, according to court records. She did not receive any probation or jail time.
Lombardini oversaw two funds connected to former Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey as the president of Michigan’s Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility and treasurer of Michigan! My Michigan!, which the Department of Attorney General and the Department of State alleged was soliciting funds for a ballot proposal to repeal emergency power laws for the governor.
Prosecutors alleged the two funds specifically sought dollars to be used for the Unlock Michigan initiative petition and raising funds through the nonprofits meant individuals could contribute without being revealed. Although Lombardini has said the funds were not raised for Unlock Michigan, affidavits filed revealed there were many checks to the nonprofits with “Unlock Michigan” in the memo line.
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