Man Charged Over Alleged Threats to ‘Hang’ Michigan Election Official

A Michigan man has been charged after allegedly threatening to hang a local election official for “treason” during a vote recount last December, prosecutors said Monday.

Andrew Fred Hess, 37, was charged with a false report or threat of terrorism for the alleged remark during a vote recount for the November 2023 local elections. The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office said that while challenges in the ballot recount were being filed, Hess allegedly walked outside of the room and stated, “hang Joe for treason,” about Director of Elections Joe Rozell.

Rozell declined to comment, telling The Daily Beast that he had not read the details of the charge. Hess faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $20,000 for the felony and his lawyer, Robert Muise, did not immediately respond for comment. He told the Detroit News on Monday that the felony charge is politically motivated and meant to suppress those who speak out against their government.

Read more at The Daily Beast.