DETROIT (AP) — Two conservative political operatives were sentenced to probation Monday for a scheme to discourage Black Detroit voters from voting by mail in the 2020 presidential election, the last court hearing in a multistate effort to blast thousands of robocalls.
Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman were accused of creating robocalls that warned people they could be hounded by police, debt collectors and government vaccine bureaucrats if they voted by mail. Authorities said the bogus messages targeted urban areas that typically vote Democratic.
“Don’t be finessed into giving your private information to the man,” a recorded voice said.
In August, Wohl and Burkman pleaded no contest to voter intimidation, conspiracy and computer crimes after a long, unsuccessful effort to challenge the charges on free speech grounds. A Wayne County judge sentenced them to a year of probation.
Wohl and Burkman “used every racist dog whistle” to discourage people from voting by mail, said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat.
Wohl and Burkman were also pursued for robocalls in New York and Ohio. An Ohio judge in 2022 ordered them to perform 500 hours of community service related to voter registration in Washington, records show.
In New York, they settled a lawsuit last year by agreeing to pay up to $1.25 million, the attorney general's office said.
Defense attorneys in the Michigan case said Wohl and Burkman were ready to move on.
“I don't think he’s going to be back in any court in the future,” said Burkman's lawyer, Scott Grabel, who acknowledged the robocalls were offensive.
Attorney William Amadeo said he's glad Wohl “can put it behind him.”
FILE - In this image taken from video provided by the 36th District Court in Michigan, Jacob Wohl, left, and Jack Burkman appear during their arraignment via video, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020 in Detroit. (36th District Court via AP, File)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk has streamlined the roles for her president of football operations and general manager as the Titans prepare to search for a new coach.
Strunk said in a message to Titans fans Friday afternoon that Chad Brinker, president of football operations, and first-year general manager Mike Borgonzi approached her a few weeks ago to talk about their evaluation of this season.
“We're returning to a front office that feels more straightforward to them and to me,” Strunk said. “Going forward, Mike will serve as general manager in the most traditional sense — pick and support the players, oversee the coaching staff — while Chad will continue to lead everything else about the football team.”
Strunk said that means Borgonzi, hired in January 2025, will lead the search for a new coach and manage the 53-man roster moving forward. That search kicks into high gear after Sunday's season finale at Jacksonville for the Titans (3-13).
Brinker will oversee salary cap management, analytics, research and development and the team’s other football departments.
“Both will report to me, and their collective goal is to return the football team to the championship-caliber you deserve,” Strunk said.
Brinker made clear before the Titans opened training camp in July that this would be a rebuilding season, and they are wrapping up a fourth straight losing season since winning back-to-back AFC South titles.
Strunk fired Brian Callahan six games into his second season. Borgonzi is the Titans third different general manager with Strunk firing Jon Robinson late in his seventh season in December 2022 and Ran Carthon in January 2025.
One bright spot has been Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick poised to start his 17th game Sunday. That will mark just the seventh season this franchise has had a quarterback start every game in its 29 seasons in Tennessee, which is third worst in the NFL in that span.
Strunk thanked fans for their support. The Titans move into their new enclosed stadium for the 2027 season.
“We remain more dedicated than ever to you, this team, Nashville, and the entire state as we build a strong foundation for the future,” she said.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
FILE - Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi before the start of a football game in Nashville, Tenn, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
FILE - Tennessee Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker, left, walks with team owner Amy Adams Strunk, before the start of a game in Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
