Michigan

Man gets prison for fake signatures that roiled Michigan governor race

Published

4 days ago

April 1, 2026

Man gets prison for fake signatures that roiled Michigan governor race

A Florida man was sentenced to two to 20 years in prison Tuesday, March 31 for his role in a fraudulent petition scandal that derailed the candidacies of five Republican candidates for Michigan governor in 2022, according to online court records.

Macomb County Circuit Judge James Maceroni also ordered Willie Reed to pay nearly $334,000 in restitution to the campaigns that were victimized, records show. The judge ordered about $137,000 of that amount to go to Oakland County businessman Perry Johnson, who was disqualified from the primary ballot for governor in 2022 and is running again this year, and about $119,000 to former Detroit Police Chief James Craig, whose bid for Michigan governor ended when he was disqualified from the 2022 primary ballot.

“The actions of the defendants deliberately undermined our electoral process and denied voters their choices in our primary,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a news release. “I hope this outcome serves as a deterrent to others who attempt to subvert our system.”

In February, a jury convicted Reed, co-owner of Mack Douglas LLC and owner/operator of Petitions Reed LLC, of about a dozen fraud-related charges and conducting a criminal enterprise, while acquitting him of about 17 other charges. Convicted of 22 fraud-related charges, including conducting a criminal enterprise, was co-defendant Shawn Wilmoth of Warren, owner/operator of First Choice LLC and co-owner of Mack Douglas LLC. A third defendant, Jamie Wilmoth of Warren, was acquitted of all charges.

Prosecutors said the defendants charged campaigns more than $700,000 for valid signatures but knowingly delivered tens of thousands of forged signatures on nomination petitions to eight campaigns, including three judicial campaigns. The fraudulent signatures were later discovered by Michigan Bureau of Elections officials, after which the Board of State Canvassers ordered disqualifications. The candidates themselves were not accused of wrongdoing.

“He was treated fairly by the judge,” Reed’s attorney, Wright Blake of Detroit, told the Detroit Free Press after the March 31 sentencing.

However, Reed wants to appeal his convictions, Blake said, and the judge granted him an appeal bond to allow him to do so.

Shawn Wilmoth was sentenced to four to 20 years in prison on March 18 after a jury convicted him Feb. 9 of conducting a criminal enterprise and defrauding gubernatorial candidates Johnson, Donna Brandenburg, Mike Brown, and Michael Markey, as well as three judicial candidates. Shawn Wilmoth was acquitted on charges related to Craig’s petition signatures.

Maceroni ordered Wilmoth to pay $376,601 in restitution to the victims.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com

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Michigan

Michigan vs UConn prediction, spread: Who is favored to win national championship?

Published

5 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Press Room

Michigan vs UConn prediction, spread: Who is favored to win national championship?

The 2026 men’s basketball national championship game is set with Michigan vs. UConn.

And while the Huskies are going for their third national title in four years, it’s the Wolverines who enter Monday night’s final as the heavy favorite.

Michigan blasted Arizona on Saturday in a matchup of the remaining No. 1 seeds in what many thought would be the best game of the NCAA Tournament. It didn’t turn out that way, even with Wolverines star Yaxel Lendeborg dealing with an injury.

Michigan vs UConn spread, line: Who is favored to win national championship game?

Odds provided by BetMGM, as of 9:30 a.m., Sunday, April 5

Moneyline: Michigan (-325); UConn (+260)
Spread: Michigan (-7.5)
Total over/under: 144.5

Michigan UConn prediction: Who will win national championship?

Blake Toppmeyer: Michigan. The Wolverines’ total destruction of Arizona solidified that Michigan is the class of the tournament. UConn is playing well, but nobody is playing better than Michigan.
Jordan Mendoza: Michigan. The Huskies are able to make it a competitive game, but Michigan is just too stacked. The Wolverines pull away midway through the second half and party like it’s 1989.
Austin Curtright: Michigan. Michigan-Arizona was tabbed as one of the most-anticipated Final Four matchups in recent memory, and all the Wolverines did was dominate start to finish in a way no one has against the Wildcats this season. Michigan has defeated all of its 2026 Men’s NCAA Tournament opponents by double digits, and finds a way to do so again against the Huskies, even with a potentially limited version of Yaxel Lendeborg.
Ehsan Kassim: Michigan. Yes, this UConn team has been impressive in the past two rounds with a big comeback vs. Duke and then shut down Illinois’ offense. Michigan is another beast, as the Wolverines have been the most dominant team in the NCAA Tournament. They pull off the win to end a couple of droughts, even with Yaxel Lendeborg playing at less than 100%.

National championship game time

The national title game between Michigan and UConn is scheduled to tip at 8:50 p.m., Monday, April 6.

What channel will the national championship game be on? How to watch, streaming info?

Monday’s national title game is on TBS, TNT, truTV and available for streaming on HBO Max, which requires a subscription, or Sling TV, which carries TBS and truTV.

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Michigan

Yaxel Lendeborg injury update: Michigan star hurt in Final Four

Published

18 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Press Room

Yaxel Lendeborg injury update: Michigan star hurt in Final Four

Indianapolis — If Michigan wants to play for a national championship, it might have to do so without its best player.

With 8:51 to play in the first half of a Final Four game against Arizona on Saturday night, Wolverines star Yaxel Lendeborg rolled his left ankle on a drive after he stepped on the foot of Arizona center Motiejus Krivas. After hitting two free throws, he subbed out of the game and headed down the tunnel with the help of a trainer.

Lendeborg’s pain showed immediately. After he got up from falling, he walked down the court, wincing, squatting to collect himself. He tied his shoes tighter to boos from some Arizona fans before hitting his foul shots. Then he walked to the bench, down the stairs, past concerned teammates, before heading off to be evaluated.

Arizona went on a 9-0 run after Lendeborg left the game.

Lendeborg returned to the Michigan bench, walking gingerly, with about six minutes left in the first half, but did not immediately return to the game. He then returned to the locker room before the end of the half.

Late in the first half, Tracy Wolfson on the TV broadcast reported that Lendeborg’s ankle would be iced with the Wolverines possibly getting their star back for the second half.

Lendeborg was the Big Ten Player of the Year and leads Michigan with 15.2 points per game, but he played just five minutes of the game against Arizona. In the span of 1:22, he picked up two defensive fouls and had to sub out, returning at 12:57 as the Wolverines led 19-10.

Lendeborg made a 3-pointer and hauled in a rebound before leaving the game with his injury.

cearegood@detroitnews.com

@ConnorEaregood

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Michigan

Flooding reported across much of Mid-Michigan after heavy rainfall overnight, several roads impassable

Published

1 day ago

April 4, 2026

Press Room

Flooding reported across much of Mid-Michigan after heavy rainfall overnight, several roads impassable

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – Flooding is impacting many people across Mid-Michigan after heavy rainfall late Friday and into Saturday morning. News 10 Chief Meteorologist Darrin Rockcole says some areas of Mid-Michigan saw 1-2+ inches of rain. The Lansing area saw more rain overnight than those near Jackson and to the south.

Mid-Michigan is not out of the woods yet when it comes to rain for the rest of Saturday either, as explained in your latest First Alert Forecast. If you see flooding in your area, submit photos and videos to News 10 by clicking here.

Many major roadways are experiencing flooding, leading to several highways being shut down as water was over the roadway. Numerous flood warnings, watches and advisories are in effect across Mid-Michigan.

Flooding in a neighborhood on the west side of Lansing Saturday morning(WILX)

Here are the many reports of flooding from city and county officials across Mid-Michigan. This has led to the closing of roads across the area.

EATON COUNTY

SB I-69 just north of Potterville exit (66) was closed with water over the freeway.

Eaton County has canceled their outdoor siren test for Saturday due to the inclement weather.

Flooding along the Thornapple River(Heather Schmidt)

Michigan State Police said on ‘X’ Saturday that numerous area roadways were flooded outside of the previously mentioned portion of I-69.

Traffic Alert! Eaton County: Due to the heavy rains in the area, southbound I-69 at Vermontville Hwy is flooded and impassable. Numerous other roads in the Eaton County area are also flooded. Troopers are reminding the public that if you do not have to go out right now, it might… pic.twitter.com/KcUzYIMOzK
— MSP First District (@MSPFirstDist) April 4, 2026

INGHAM COUNTY

I-496 was flooded between Waverly and Martin Luther King in Lansing, drivers were asked to avoid the area.

Potter Park Zoo: The zoo is closed Saturday as flooding is impacting Pennsylvania Ave in Lansing.

Ingham County has canceled its outdoor siren test for Saturday due to the inclement weather.

CITY OF LANSING

Traffic alert from the city: Reports of many streets flooded throughout Lansing. Please use caution while driving and do not attempt to drive through standing water.

CITY OF EAST LANSING

City Alert: Reports of streets flooded throughout the area and basements with backed up water. Use caution when driving. Do not attempt to drive through standing water. Check sump pumps for proper operation and monitor basements for signs of water.

CLINTON COUNTY

County siren test scheduled for Saturday has been canceled due to inclement weather. Next testing opportunity will be May 2, 2026 at noon.

Flooding in a neighborhood on the west side of Lansing Saturday morning(WILX)

Backyard flooded in Mid-Michigan.(Leela Green)

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