In 2020, GBI Strategies, a “canvassing operation” allegedly owned and operated by Gary Bell and funded by Democrats, set up operations in Michigan.
One month before the 2020 election, the Muskegon Police Department received a call from the Muskegon City Clerk. She reported receiving between 8,000 and 10,000 voter registrations from an address in Auburn Hills, MI, labeled with the initials “EM” for Empower Michigan, the alias used by GBI Strategies in Michigan.
Muskegon Clerk Ann Meisch contacted the police after discovering that many of these voter registrations were fraudulent.
On the deadline for returning voter registrations in Michigan, a GBI Strategies compliance officer, Brianna Hawkins, submitted an additional 2,500 forms. Following this, the Michigan State Police (MSP) began to investigate her activities.
Hawkins was eventually stopped by law enforcement and informed of a misdemeanor warrant for a prior marijuana charge. During an interrogation by Michigan Attorney General Investigator Stephen Morse, Hawkins admitted that at least 1,000 of the voter registrations from GBI Strategies canvassers were fraudulent. She also disclosed that GBI Strategies/Empower Michigan focused on registering voters in black-majority communities across several cities, including Flint, Benton Harbor, Ypsilanti, Inkster, Southfield, Muskegon, Lansing, and Saginaw.
Hawkins confirmed that similar fraudulent registration activities were occurring in Miami.
In an interview transcript with AG Investigator Morse, Hawkins mentioned that Gary Bell was frustrated with the high spending in Miami without yielding accurate voter registrations, leading him to shut down the Miami office.
Independent investigator Yehuda Miller obtained a 112-page report on the GBI Strategies/Empower MI voter registration investigation, revealing further details previously obscured by redactions.
On March 17, 2021, the MSP journal noted a discussion about complaints for prosecutorial review, followed by an entry on March 24, 2021, indicating the FBI had a potential investigation regarding GBI Strategies in other states. The case remained open as the FBI launched a nationwide investigation.
Unredacted portions of the report obtained through a FOIA request showed that GBI Strategies was hiring for “Regional Field Managers” in Washington, DC, and Chicago, IL. On November 5, 2020, the MSP executed a search warrant at GBI Strategies headquarters in Southfield, MI, finding semi-automatic rifles, modified pistols, and a whiteboard with notes about various projects and canvassing activities.
The MSP report also revealed that GBI Strategies had offices in multiple states, including Michigan, Washington DC, Chicago, IL, Georgia, Iowa, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Florida. These states, particularly Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Florida, have been central to multiple voter fraud controversies since the 2020 election.
As the election season approaches, it is crucial for Americans to get involved legally to ensure the security of elections. Those interested can contact their local GOP offices or organizations like Michigan Fair Elections and Check My Vote for more information on how to help.