Man Sentenced to Prison for Fake Signatures in Michigan Governor Race

Willie Reed ordered to pay $334,000 in restitution for fraud that derailed 5 GOP candidates' campaigns

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:06am

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A Florida man named Willie Reed was sentenced to 2 to 20 years in prison and ordered to pay nearly $334,000 in restitution for his role in a fraudulent petition scandal that forced five Republican candidates off the 2022 ballot for Michigan governor. Reed was convicted of about a dozen fraud-related charges and conducting a criminal enterprise, while a co-defendant named Shawn Wilmoth was sentenced to 4 to 20 years in prison for similar crimes.

Why it matters

The fake petition scandal undermined the integrity of the 2022 Michigan governor's race, denying voters their choices in the primary election. The sentencing of the defendants is meant to serve as a deterrent against future attempts to subvert the electoral process.

The details

Prosecutors said Reed and his co-defendants charged campaigns over $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, leading to the disqualification of the affected candidates. The candidates themselves were not accused of wrongdoing.

  • On March 31, 2026, Willie Reed was sentenced to 2 to 20 years in prison.
  • On March 18, 2026, Shawn Wilmoth was sentenced to 4 to 20 years in prison.

The players

Willie Reed

A Florida man who was convicted of about a dozen fraud-related charges and conducting a criminal enterprise for his role in the fake petition scandal.

Shawn Wilmoth

A co-defendant who was convicted of conducting a criminal enterprise and defrauding several gubernatorial and judicial candidates, and was sentenced to 4 to 20 years in prison.

Dana Nessel

The Michigan Attorney General who said the defendants' actions 'deliberately undermined our electoral process and denied voters their choices in our primary.'

Perry Johnson

An Oakland County businessman who was disqualified from the 2022 Michigan governor primary ballot and is running again this year.

James Craig

The former Detroit Police Chief whose bid for Michigan governor ended when he was disqualified from the 2022 primary ballot.

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What they’re saying

“'The actions of the defendants deliberately undermined our electoral process and denied voters their choices in our primary. I hope this outcome serves as a deterrent to others who attempt to subvert our system.'”

— Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General

“'He was treated fairly by the judge.'”

— Wright Blake, Willie Reed's attorney

What’s next

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

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of safeguarding the integrity of elections and the need for strict enforcement against any attempts to undermine the democratic process. The sentencing of the defendants serves as a warning that such fraudulent activities will not be tolerated.