Former Unlock Michigan fundraiser gets probation for false statements made during investigation

Andrew Abood, the attorney for Sandra Baxter, addresses Ingham County Circuit Court Judge James Jamo on June 17, 2025 where Baxter officially entered a plea deal offered by the Michigan Department of Attorney General in the Unlock Michigan dark money case. | Photo by Ben Solis

Sandra Baxter, one of two individuals charged in the wake of the Unlock Michigan scandal, was sentenced Wednesday after accepting a plea deal from the Michigan Department of Attorney General. 

While Baxter was initially charged with perjury, she pled guilty in June to a lesser charge of knowingly providing a false or misleading statement to a police officer during a criminal investigation, a misdemeanor charge. 

Circuit Judge James Jamo sentenced Baxter to three months of reporting probation, 20 hours of community service and a $2,500 fine — the highest amount permitted by law. 

Baxter raised money for the Michigan! My Michigan! fund tied to former Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake), where authorities say she funneled funds to support the Unlock Michigan campaign committee, which aimed to repeal the emergency powers Gov. Gretchen Whitmer utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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“For too long, dark money has operated in the shadows of Lansing with little accountability,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement Wednesday. “The Unlock Michigan investigation shed light on corruption in campaign finance that was long considered common practice. Fair elections depend on transparency and honesty, and attempts to skirt the system or mislead law enforcement and the people of Michigan will not be tolerated.”

Baxter was accused of lying to investigators about the extent of her fundraising efforts for the fund, with the Department of Attorney General alleging she was given an opportunity to correct her statements under oath, and chose not to. 

Baxter was charged alongside Heather Lombardini, the head of Michigan Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility – also tied to Shirkey – and treasurer for the Michigan! My Michigan! fund. 

Lombardini faces charges of forgery and uttering and publishing, allegedly encouraging wealthy business people and political funds tied to large businesses to donate to Michigan Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility with the intention of moving that money to support Unlock Michigan’s signature gathering efforts.