The race for Michigan’s governorship is heating up, and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has quickly established a significant financial lead. She’s amassed over $4.7 million, surpassing all other candidates vying to replace the term-limited Governor Whitmer. But a closer look at the source of these funds reveals a potentially troubling story, one that demands scrutiny beyond the headlines.
The initial reports painted a picture of grassroots support – a campaign fueled by small-dollar donations and free from corporate influence. Benson’s campaign touted over 35,000 donations, with 94% reportedly $100 or less. However, a deep dive into the Michigan Campaign Finance Database suggests a far more complex, and potentially illicit, reality.
Nearly half – 45% – of the money flowing into Benson’s campaign originates from *outside* of Michigan. This isn’t a marginal figure; it represents over $2.5 million contributed by individuals and entities with no direct stake in the state’s future. The question arises: why would so many out-of-state donors be so heavily invested in a Michigan gubernatorial election?
The answer, according to an investigation of the data, may lie in a practice known as money laundering. The principle, famously articulated in the film *All the President’s Men*, is simple: “Follow the money.” And when the money is followed, a pattern emerges – a network of small, recurring donations that appear designed to obscure the true source of the funds.
Consider Robert Ahronheim of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Records show he consistently donated exactly $5.00 on the 23rd of each month for over a year. He also made eight separate $5.00 donations on a single day. His overall federal donation history reveals an astonishing 448 contributions totaling over $29,000, with a significant portion routed through ActBlue, a platform recently flagged for potential complicity in money laundering schemes.
Ahronheim, at 76 years old, fits a concerning profile. Investigators have noted a pattern of using seniors, whose identities may be compromised, in these “smurfing” operations – breaking down large contributions into numerous small ones to evade detection. A recent White House memo highlighted concerns about “straw donor” schemes and foreign contributions facilitated by platforms like ActBlue.
The pattern repeats with other donors. Linda Appling, a 77-year-old Lansing resident, allegedly donated nearly $74,000 over two decades through 8700 separate federal donations. Terry Harris, a 75-year-old from Howard City, made 1416 donations averaging just $2.00 each, with 70% channeled through ActBlue. Mary Hannon, Marcella Menconi, Michael Bailey, Ronald Bliz, David Boley, Erin Connolly, and Kenneth Greaves – all exhibit similar donation patterns.
These aren’t isolated incidents. The sheer volume of these small-dollar donations – 24,726 under $10.00, nearly 12,000 under $5.00, and 1330 exactly $1.00 – raises serious questions about the authenticity of Benson’s “grassroots” support. Many of these one-dollar donations originate from the same individuals, further suggesting a coordinated effort to disguise the true source of the funds.
The claim of a genuine grassroots movement, so central to Benson’s campaign narrative, appears increasingly dubious. The evidence points to a sophisticated operation leveraging loopholes and potentially exploiting vulnerable individuals to funnel money into her campaign. The implications for the integrity of Michigan’s election, and the future of its governance, are profound.
Given the highly partisan nature of the Michigan Attorney General’s office, a call for investigation has been issued to the US Department of Justice, the FBI, and all unbiased journalists and truth seekers. The truth about the funding of Jocelyn Benson’s campaign deserves to be brought to light, and those responsible for any wrongdoing must be held accountable.
