MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) — A former chairman of the Marquette County Republican Party and two other prominent Republicans are among five people charged with fraud involving a local housing development.
Forty-year-old Joel Westrom was arraigned Monday in district court. Two of the other defendants are 48-year-old Brian Swift and 43-year-old Michael Gokey.
Westrom ran unsuccessfully for the Michigan House in 2006 and became county GOP chairman the next year.
Swift was former Gov. John Engler's northern Michigan representative from 1994-2001. Gokey served as Engler's deputy northern Michigan representative.
Matt Wiese, the county's chief assistant prosecutor, said Tuesday each defendant is charged with four counts including fraud, fraudulent use of building contractor funds and conspiracy.
Messages seeking comment were left with their attorneys.
