Brighton Township Supervisor Calls Challenger's Mailings 'Baseless and Untrue'

Independent candidate John Ewing recently sent out mailings to Brighton Township residents alleging corruption and illegal activities in the current Township Board of Trustees, specifically targeting current Township Supervisor Tom Murphy.

The mailings say, "We will stamp out Murphy corruption," and list alleged examples of corruption with illegal sewer billings, tax evasion with the new Michigan State Police building next door to Township Hall and favor dealing with gravel pit miners.

Murphy said that Ewing's claims are "baseless and untrue."

He said that state officials have reviewed and signed off on the township's handling of the sewer fund, as well as the state police post. Murphy said that police also have investigated Ewing's claims and have determined them to be false.

In addition, Murphy said that he believes Ewing's mailings violate at least one Campaign Finance Act condition because the mailings do not clearly state how they were paid for.

The Michigan Campaign Finance Act states that "a billboard, placard, poster, pamphlet, or other printed matter having reference to an election, a candidate, or a ballot question, shall bear upon it the name and address of the person paying for the matter."

A person violating these conditions may be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment of not more than 93 days, or both.

Ewing sent an email to both Murphy and Brighton Patch on Saturday morning saying: "Thank you for pointing out the oversight on my campaign signs and flyers. They have been updated to identify that they were paid for by my campaign for Brighton Township Supervisor. I apologize for any inconvenience to you or your campaign. I will be informing the County of the oversight."