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Photos provided by the Schauer campaign show a man in an orange CNN hat, who allegedly provided generic credentials to staffers.

LANSING, MI -- A freelance cinematographer who previously filmed a television commercial for Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder posed as a CNN cameraman at a recent campaign event for Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Mark Schauer, according to staffers.

The Schauer campaign, which provided photographic evidence and accused the opposition of direct involvement, said Thursday that cinematographer Jeff Steinborn flashed generic media credentials and wore an orange CNN hat while filming a public meet-and-greet in a Coldwater coffee shop on Sunday.

When a staffer asked why he was there, Steinborn allegedly pointed to his hat. A second staffer asked if he worked for CNN and recounted his response: "Yep. We're keeping an eye on the race."

MIRS subscription newsletter, which first reported the story, talked to a CNN political editor who denied that the network had sent anyone to the event.

Steinborn, who did not answer multiple calls from MLive.com or respond to a voicemail, is listed as director of photography on an online version of a Snyder television commercial by Strategic Perception, the Hollywood ad firm that produced several ads for the governor, including his 2010 and 2014 Super Bowl spots.

Snyder campaign manager Kyle Robertson, who took the position late last year, said he has never met Steinborn and strenuously denied any knowledge of his appearance at the Schauer event.

"Steinborn hasn't done any work for the campaign since last summer," he said, also questioning the account of the interaction, as told by two Schauer staffers. "He was not there in any official capacity."

The Schauer campaign did not buy the denial.

While aggressive opposition research, including the use of video "trackers," has become an increasingly common tactic in modern political campaigns, Schauer spokesperson Zack Pohl said the weekend drama is different because it involved a cameraman purporting to work for a national news organization.

"It's clear Mr. Steinborn does not work for CNN –- even though he lied and said he did. And it's clear he has worked for the Snyder campaign as a highly-paid consultant," said Pohl, also noting it was a public event that did not require subterfuge.

"The governor's campaign should admit their mistake, apologize, and agree to run their campaign above board."

Jonathan Oosting is a Capitol reporter for MLive Media Group. Email him, find him on Google+ or follow him on Twitter.