AG Nessel Responds to Proposed FCC Fine against Wohl, Burkman

LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following statement in response to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) proposed $5.1 million dollar fine against Jack Burkman and Jacob Wohl: 

"This massive fine properly reflects the seriousness of the allegations these two political operatives face. Mr. Burkman and Mr. Wohl allegedly orchestrated a series of robocalls aimed at suppressing the vote in the November general election. While my office will continue to pursue the criminal case against these men, I applaud the FCC for its action today." 

According to the FCC, the proposed fine is the largest Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) robocall fine ever proposed by the Commission. 

Burkman and Wohl are awaiting trial in Wayne County Circuit Court after a failed dismissal attempt, which was announced in May. 

The two face the following: 

• election law - intimidating voters, a felony punishable by up to five years;   
• conspiracy to commit an election law violation, a felony punishable by up to five years;   
• using a computer to commit the crime of election law - intimidating voters, a felony punishable by up to seven years; and   
• using a computer to commit the crime of conspiracy, a felony punishable by up to seven years. 

Their next court date is Sept. 21 for a final conference before the Hon. Margaret Van Houten.

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Please note: A criminal charge is merely an allegation and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Department does not provide booking photos of defendants.