Former McCotter Staffer Gets 20 Days in Jail

Lorianne O’Brady, who worked as former U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter's scheduler, was sentenced Thursday to 20 days in jail or 20 days in a work program for her role in the petition fraud scandal that led to the Livonia Republican's July resignation.

McCotter, who is not charged in the election fraud case, failed to qualify for the Nov. 6 ballot after his signatures were deemed by the Michigan Secretary of State's office to be invalid, containing photocopied signatures from past elections. He quickly abandoned plans to run as a write-in candidate and ultimately resigned his seat in July. 

O’Brady, 52, of Livonia pleaded guilty Sept. 18 to five counts of falsely signing a nominating petition as circulator, a misdemeanor, the report said. 

O'Brady is among four McCotter staffers charged in the case.

According to the report, O'Brady will serve 18 months probation, including 12 months as reporting probation, after her sentence, and must pay $2,625 in fines and court costs or serve 12 days in jail if she fails to pay.