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2 Ex-McCotter Aides Sentenced In Election Scandal

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Two former aides to a Detroit-area congressman accused in an election scandal involving bogus petition signatures have been sentenced to probation and community service.

Don Yowchuang and Paul Seewald were sentenced Friday in Wayne County Circuit Court for their part in what state Attorney General Bill Schuette called a "cut and paste job that would make a fourth grade art teacher cringe" and give "Elmer's Glue a bad name."

Yowchuang was deputy district director to then-U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, a Republican from Livonia. Paul Seewald was district director.

Yowchuang pleaded no contest to 10 felony counts of forgery. Seewald pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, falsely signing a nominating petition as a circulator.

Yowchuang was ordered to serve three years' probation and 200 hours' community service. Seewald will serve two years' probation and 100 hours' community service.

Conspiracy charges against both defendants were dismissed.

McCotter was not changed in the case. Schuette said there was no direct evidence of McCotter's involvement, but it did seem McCotter was "asleep at the switch."

McCotter didn't make the ballot and quit Congress last July after nearly 10 years rather than finish his term.

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(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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