SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - The Southfield City Clerk is facing half-a-dozen felony counts for falsifying returns and other alleged crimes during last year's election

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel was joined by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to announce the case against 38-year-old Sherikia Hawkins of Southfield.

They say discrepancies in the Southfield voter count were brought to the Secretary of State’s attention by the Oakland County Clerk’s office following its efforts to certify Southfield’s absentee ballots for the Nov. 6, 2018, general election.

Michigan State Police conducted a thorough investigation and said they determined that election records had been altered.

Hawkins turned herself in to State Pollice and was arraigned on the following charges in 46th District Court Monday:

Count One. Election Law – Falsifying Returns/Records, a five-year felony and/or $1,000;

Count Two. Forgery of a Public Record, a 14-year felony;

Count Three. Misconduct in Office, a five-year felony and/or $10,000;

Count Four. Using a Computer to Commit a Crime – Election Law – Falsifying Returns/Records, a seven-year felony and/or $5,000;

Count Five. Using a Computer to Commit a Crime – Forgery of a Public Record, a 10-year felony and/or $10,000;

Count Six. Using a Computer to Commit a Crime – Misconduct in Office, a seven-year felony and/or $5,000.

“When we took office, both Secretary Benson and I committed to doing everything in our power to make sure that Michigan’s elections were safe from every conceivable threat,” said Nessel, in a statement. “That commitment – made to the people of this state – includes taking swift and decisive action when a public official fails to fulfill the important role that he or she plays in protecting the integrity of our elections.”

Bond was set at $15,000 and Hawkins' next court appearance, a probable cause conference was scheduled for Sept. 30.

She will not be allowed to administer elections in Southfield while proceedings in this case continue.

“Today upon learning that the Southfield City Clerk was formally charged with multiple crimes under Michigan election law, I exercised my authority under Michigan law to exert supervisory control over local election officials and directed the clerk to refrain from administering any election while there are charges pending against her,” Benson said. “Our elections are the foundation of our democracy, and under my and Attorney General Nessel’s administration there will be no tolerance for any actions that undermine that foundation – anywhere, anytime, by any person or official.”

The prosecution will be led by the Public Integrity Unit of the Department of Attorney General, which ensures that public officials or law enforcement officers who commit crimes in Michigan – regardless of position, standing or party affiliation – are held accountable.

Hawkins, who was elected Southfield city clerk in November 2017, previously served as city clerk in Pontiac.