Kathy Funk, a current county elections supervisor in Flint Township, Michigan was charged with felony ballot tampering and misconduct in the August 2020 primary election.
According to a recently signed warrant, Funk allegedly purposely broke open or violated the seals or locks of a ballot box used in the election that she not only oversaw but was also a candidate seeking re-election as the clerk.
A police report obtained by the Flint Journal shows that Funk called the police and filed a complaint saying that the room containing the ballot box was broken into.
“Funk stated at some point she entered a locked storage room which is next to her office. Upon entering the room she observed (that) it was in disarray and noticed a shelf on the west (left) wall had been knocked down,” the police report says. “She observed several items had been moved but it did not appear that anything was missing.”
However, it was determined that there was not a break in and that Funk herself staged the crime which prevented ballots from being recounted in an election that was questioned after suspicious activity was observed in the days surrounding the primary.
The official county results show that Funk won re-election with 2,698 votes compared to 2,619 for challenger Manya Triplett. Triplett requested a recount however, because of the ballot tampering it was never performed.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel released a statement saying her office is committed to prosecuting all election violations.
“Election officials must uphold the integrity of their positions. Those who abuse that commitment undermine the very foundation of our democracy.”
An attorney representing Funk said his client is not guilty,
“She says it’s absolutely not true.”
IF convicted Funk faces 10 years in prison.
