Consultant charged in 'dark money' scheme continues to aid several Michigan GOP candidates
A Republican consultant accused of fundraising violations in connection to a “dark money” scheme remains a key financial advisor for several GOP candidates and causes according to campaign finance records.
Last year, the Michigan Department of Attorney General brought several charges against Bright Spark Strategies co-founder Heather Lombardini, following an investigation into an alleged dark money scheme in which two nonprofits – Michigan! My Michigan! and Michigan Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility – funneled $2.6 million into the Unlock Michigan campaign, which aimed to repeal the emergency powers Gov. Gretchen Whitmer utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lombardini faces three misdemeanor charges and a felony for allegedly failing to file campaign finance disclosures while acting as both the treasurer for Michigan! My Michigan! and president of Michigan Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility. She is alleged to have encouraged 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.
Lombardini was one of two individuals charged as a result of the investigation, with the other, Sandy Baxter, accepting a plea deal from the attorney general’s office, which led to a sentence of three months of reporting probation, 20 hours of community service and a $2,500 fine.
https://michiganadvance.com/2025/09/05/consultant-charged-in-dark-money-scheme-continues-to-aid-several-michigan-gop-candidates/