Guilty plea in Jennifer Kelly phone call case

A Genesee County man has pleaded guilty to making a harassing phone call to Houghton County Clerk Jennifer Kelly during the 2020 election campaign.

At a preliminary hearing this morning, Matthew Smith accepted a deal, in which he pleaded guilty to one count of malicious use of telecommunication services. He had initially denied making the call, but state police investigators tracked it to his cell phone.

Kelly said she received the early-morning call in March of 2020, and that Smith threatened her, and her pets. In a statement to WNEM television, Smith confirmed he made the call, but continued to deny that threats were made. He admitted that he was “trying to help a friend running for public office against Ms. Kelly,” and admitted his actions were inappropriate.

The “friend running for public office” was Republican Justin Kasieta, a member of State Representative Greg Markkanen’s staff. Kasieta lost the election for clerk. He has admitted that he was a party to the call, along with Baraga County Republican Party activist Jake Putala, who works for State Senator Ed McBroom.

Smith is chair of the Genesee County Republican Party. He is also a member of the Davison School Board, although a group is circulating recall petitions against him. He will be sentenced January 11th.