• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

Sherikia Hawkins, celebrated Michigan democratic official, arraigned on six felony charges of election fraud

Michigan State Police

Sherikia Hawkins is facing election fraud charges. (City of Southfield/Michigan State Police)

September 24, 2019
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

November 13, 2020

UPDATE: The criminal case against Sherikia Hawkins is still ongoing as she continues to serve as the Southfield city clerk, according to The Detroit News.

———

June 12, 2020

UPDATE: Hawkins was bound over for trial on six felonies involving falsifying absentee ballot records in 2018, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office said.

Southfield Clerk Sherikia Hawkins is alleged to have altered 193 qualified voter file records  during the 2018 general election.

“The voters of our state deserve a process that is unobstructed,” said Attorney General Dana Nessel in a news release. “That is why I am committed to doing everything in my power to protect our elections from every conceivable threat. The foundation of our democracy depends on it.”

Her next court appearance date is scheduled for Sept. 22.

———

January 17, 2020

UPDATE: Hawkins is scheduled to return to court March 10 for a preliminary hearing, reported The Oakland Press.

———

Original article:

Sept. 24, 2019

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Michigan State Police filed an affadavit charging recently celebrated Democratic Party official on several felony charges related to voter discrepancies.

The Michigan official who earlier this year received an award from the state’s Democratic Party is now facing six felony charges for reportedly forging records and falsely marking absentee ballots as invalid during the 2018 election, reported The Detroit News.

Sherikia Hawkins, 38, city clerk for the city of Southfield, was arraigned Monday after the Oakland County Clerk’s office noticed discrepancies in voter counts while certifying absentee ballots from Southfield. State police investigated and found that records had been altered so that nearly 200 voter files were improperly listed as invalid.

“Our elections are the foundation of our democracy, and under my and Attorney General [Dana] Nessel’s administration there will be no tolerance for any actions that undermine that foundation — anywhere, anytime, by any person or official,” Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said in a statement.

According to court documents, Michigan police found that 193 absentee voter files were changed in the city’s computer system to say they either had no signature or no return date, when they had both valid signatures and return dates. Police stated that after Oakland County Election Director Joseph Rozell found that Hawkins had submitted altered reports, his staff found the original ones in a trashcan at the election division office.

Benson insisted that the alleged fraud did not affect the outcome of the election.

“All valid votes in the election were ultimately counted and the final official vote total was accurate,” she said, according to The Detroit News.

Michigan State Police
Sherikia Hawkins is facing election fraud charges. (City of Southfield/Michigan State Police)

Hawkins’ arraignment comes just months after she was honored May 18 at the Michigan Democratic Party’s Legacy Dinner, where she received the Dingell/Levin Award. In 2017, she was listed among the “40 under 40” by the Michigan Chronicle, according to a government bio from her previous role as Pontiac city clerk.

At the time, Hawkins made history as the first African-American elected as Southfield city clerk, according the city’s website.

She also had administered 16 elections in Oakland County and holds a master municipal clerk designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.

  • COPS FILL STANDS TO WATCH SON OF MURDERED OFFICER PLAY FIRST FOOTBALL GAME

“Sherikia takes pride in using unconventional methods to engage the community in voting,” the website says.

Her term is set to expire in 2021.

Hawkins was charged with falsifying records in violation of state election law, forgery of a public record, misconduct in office and three counts of using a computer to commit a crime. The top count carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison, Fox News reported. She was arraigned on Monday and released on $15,000 bond, according to a state press release. Hawkins has a probable cause conference set for Sept. 30, and another hearing scheduled for Oct. 15.

Despite what looks like a ton of evidence pointing toward Hawkins, her attorneys said that it was just a technicality, WXYZ reported.

Attorney David Jones said that Hawkins has overseen problem-free elections in the past and had no motive to change absentee ballots.

“In fact Jocelyn Benson and Dana Nessel’s own press conference indicates that there was no voter disenfranchisement,” Jones pointed out. “So while there may have been some technical issues with regard to the voter list or the results, no voter was disenfranchised. Every vote was counted. I think this is a matter of something, technicality over substance, and I think she is going to be vindicated.”

The AG’s Public Integrity Unit will prosecute the case.

———

BUY THE BOOK

Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: City of Southfieldelection fraudmichigan state policeSherikia Hawkins
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

bomb explodes

Michigan man loses both arms after bomb explodes in garage

June 13, 2022
Michigan State Police

Michigan State Police say boy, 7, accidentally run over and killed by bulldozer operated by father

January 28, 2022

Michigan state police disproportionately stop Black drivers but what does that mean?

January 14, 2022
K9 Chief

Michigan State Police K9 tracks suspect nearly four miles before apprehension is made

January 5, 2022
Michigan officer

Michigan officer, deputy critical after exchanging gunfire with suspect who died in shootout

December 21, 2021
Michigan State Police

Two Michigan men arrested after firing several shots at police helicopter

October 6, 2021
Load More

Latest Articles

Rob Bonta

California Attorney General leaks private data of thousands of gun owners

June 30, 2022
Sheriff Brad Coe

Disgusted Texas sheriff returns migrants to border after vehicle pursuit and crash

June 30, 2022
Chicago Police Department

A Less Than Ideal Police Discipline Process

June 29, 2022
fallen officer

California Peace Officers Murdered: An Analysis For Future Survival

June 29, 2022
Chicago video

Chicago video shows suspect opening fire on police

June 29, 2022

What You Need To Know About At-Fault and No-Fault Auto Insurance Laws

June 29, 2022
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

MUST READ

Rob Bonta

California Attorney General leaks private data of thousands of gun owners

June 30, 2022
Sheriff Brad Coe

Disgusted Texas sheriff returns migrants to border after vehicle pursuit and crash

June 30, 2022
Samuel Quinton Edwards

Fugitive killed in shootout with Kentucky State Police

June 29, 2022
Heroic Police Work

Appeals Court Hears Lawsuit Against Heroic Police Work

June 28, 2022
Benito Madrigal

Drug smugglers busted with 150,000 fentanyl pills released from custody on own recognizance

June 28, 2022
Load More

JOIN THE FIGHT

SAFEGUARD RECRUITING

Police Officers Needed – Entry level and lateral applicants wanted!

February 14, 2022

Deputy Sheriff

February 3, 2022

Dispatcher

January 25, 2022

Deputy Sheriff (POST Certified)

January 25, 2022

BE COURAGEOUS

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2021 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2021 LawOfficer.com