Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun is facing financial penalties from Wayne County due to his failure to submit required campaign finance reports. According to county records, Baydoun missed both his post-primary and pre-general finance report deadlines, raising concerns about the transparency of his campaign finances.
The reports in question, which were due on September 4 and October 24, are essential for public scrutiny regarding the funds Baydoun’s campaign has raised and spent. As of now, the public remains unaware of the sources of his campaign contributions or the expenditures made since July 20, 2023.
Prior to the missed deadlines, Baydoun had reported raising approximately $210,297 and spending around $132,000. This financial activity is significant for a mayoral candidate in a suburb with a population of about 60,600 residents.
On October 2, the Wayne County Clerk’s campaign finance manager issued a notification of Baydoun’s failure to file the necessary post-primary report, resulting in a $500 fine. Despite the warning that he would incur this maximum penalty if the report was not submitted within 20 business days, Baydoun failed to meet the deadline. As of November 7, he has not responded to requests for comment nor settled the fines owed.
In addition to the late post-primary report, Baydoun has also failed to file his pre-general campaign finance report, raising further concerns about compliance with campaign finance laws. A notice sent to him on October 27 warned that another $500 fine could be imposed if he does not file within 20 days.
Records indicate that Baydoun has already been assessed a $50 fee for the late submission of his pre-primary report, which he filed on July 29. His pre-primary report also contained several errors and omissions, including inadequate disclosure of contributor occupations and unreported campaign expenditures.
In a broader context, Hassan Ahmad, Chair of the Dearborn Heights City Council, also failed to submit his pre-general report by the deadline. In contrast, Baydoun’s opponent in the recent mayoral election, Denise Malinowski Maxwell, successfully filed her reports and received a waiver from the Wayne County Clerk’s Office, exempting her from additional reporting requirements due to the amount raised.
The potential consequences for Baydoun remain serious. The Michigan Campaign Finance Act stipulates that candidates who fail to provide two required financial statements may face misdemeanor charges or be barred from taking office. A spokesperson for Dana Nessel, the state Attorney General, confirmed that any allegations of violations must originate from the Michigan Department of State, which oversees election regulations. No such referrals regarding Baydoun have been made to the Attorney General’s office.
As the scrutiny surrounding Baydoun’s campaign grows, the implications of his financial reporting practices may have lasting effects on his tenure as mayor. The public awaits clarity on his campaign finances and the actions he will take to rectify his current situation.
