Sheriff and wife accused of stealing campaign signs

CHARLOTTE

Michigan State Police are investigating an allegation that Eaton County Sheriff Mike Raines and his wife tried to steal his Republican primary election opponent’s campaign signs.

Eaton County Prosecutor Jeff Sauter confirmed today that his office received a complaint about a Monday night incident involving a sign belonging to Raines’ challenger, Tom Reich.

Stealing a campaign sign is a misdemeanor crime.

Reich, 53, who is running against Raines in today’s Republican primary, said he began staking out locations where his signs were placed because more than 150 of his campaign signs had gone missing in recent weeks.

On Monday night, Reich said he saw Raines’ wife, Laurie, bending over one of his signs as if to steal it. He said he also saw Mike Raines’ minivan drive away.

Reich reported it to Michigan State Police, who are investigating the incident.
“I just can’t believe what I’ve seen,” Reich said in an interview today. “I’m just as floored as anybody else.”

A Michigan State Police officer who investigated the call reported he did not notice any of Reich’s signs in the minivan that he could observe from outside.

The winner of today’s primary election runs unopposed in the November general election because there is no Democratic challenger.