Two conservative political operatives have been handed probation sentences for orchestrating a robocall campaign designed to deter Black voters in Detroit from using postal votes in the 2020 US presidential election.
The Scheme and Its Content
Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman were found to have created and disseminated automated calls containing false and intimidating messages. The robocalls falsely warned recipients that if they voted by mail, their personal information could be accessed by police forces, debt collectors, and government officials involved in vaccine programmes. One recording explicitly stated, "Don’t be finessed into giving your private information to the man."
Authorities confirmed the bogus messages specifically targeted urban areas with high concentrations of Democratic voters. Michigan's Attorney General, Democrat Dana Nessel, accused the pair of having "used every racist dog whistle" in their attempt to suppress mail-in voting.
Legal Proceedings and Sentences
After a protracted legal battle where they unsuccessfully tried to frame the charges as a free speech issue, Wohl and Burkman entered no contest pleas in August 2025. They were convicted on charges of voter intimidation, conspiracy, and computer crimes.
On Monday, 1st December 2025, a judge in Wayne County sentenced both men to one year of probation. This hearing marked the conclusion of court actions concerning this multistate robocall effort.
Broader Consequences and Settlements
The Michigan case was not an isolated incident. Wohl and Burkman faced legal repercussions in other states for similar actions. In Ohio, a 2022 court order required them to complete 500 hours of community service focused on voter registration work in Washington, D.C.
Furthermore, the pair settled a lawsuit in New York last year by agreeing to pay up to $1.25 million, according to the state's attorney general's office.
Defence lawyers in the Michigan case indicated their clients wished to move on. Scott Grabel, representing Burkman, acknowledged the robocalls were "offensive" and stated he did not believe his client would "be back in any court in the future." William Amadeo, attorney for Jacob Wohl, said he was glad his client could "put it behind him."
