Election Fraud Cases

John Carlyle and Ronald Komendat

John Carlyle and Ronald Komendat, a former police officer, both pleaded guilty to voting in precincts where they did not reside in the 2003 East Chicago mayoral Democratic primary election. Both received six-month suspended sentences and were ordered to perform 40 hours of community service. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3iOfS7c

Ricardo Alamillo

Ricardo Alamillo, a former East Chicago assistant chief bailiff, was convicted of voting in another precinct for the 2003 East Chicago Democratic mayoral primary and received a one-and-a-half year suspended sentence and another one-and-a-half years of probation. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3BNfgHB

Tonya Griffin-Bronaugh

Tonya Griffin-Bronaugh, the sister of Terrance Lay, pleaded guilty to filling out and signing an application for an absentee ballot in the name of her former husband without his knowledge in connection with the 2003 East Chicago Democratic primary. Her brother was a city council candidate in that election. Griffin-Bronaugh was sentenced to 18 months of probation. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election for the mayoral race that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/376jzzA

Alicia Dunbar and Ivan Dunbar

Alicia and Ivan Dunbar pleaded guilty to voting in another precinct for the 2003 East Chicago Democratic mayoral primary and were given one year of probation. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3y83Bkv

Mark Orosco

Mark Orosco pleaded guilty to voting in another precinct for the 2003 East Chicago Democratic mayoral primary and received a one year suspended sentence, one year of probation, and 100 hours of community service. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3f4rZfs

Mario Del Valle

Mario Del Valle pleaded guilty to voting in another precinct for the 2003 East Chicago elections. He was sentenced to one year of probation and 30 hours of community service. Fraud in the 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election for the mayoral race that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3rzE15u

Michael Harretos and Ezequiel Godinez

Michael Harretos and Ezequiel Godinez were sentenced to one year of probation, community service, and fines for voting in another precinct in the 2003 East Chicago election. Fraud in the 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election for the mayoral race that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3iWBE8K

Demetreos Hasapis

Demetreos Hasapis, an East Chicago Fire Department captain, was convicted of voting outside the precinct in which he lived for the 2003 East Chicago Democratic primary. He was sentenced to a 60-day jail sentence in the Lake County jail and 60 days' probation. Fraud in this 2003 primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election for the mayoral race that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/370beO2

Antonio and Alycia Mendiola

Antonio and Alycia Mendiola pleaded guilty to voting in a precinct where they did not live during the 2003 East Chicago Democratic mayoral primary. Both were sentenced to 18 months of probation. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/2TBzS4i

Eduardo Perez, Sr.

Eduardo Perez, Sr., pleaded guilty to fraudulently receiving an absentee ballot in connection to the 2003 East Chicago mayoral Democrat primary. He was sentenced to 18 months of probation. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3BLlMPc

Larry Battle

Larry Battle was convicted of voting in a precinct in which he did not live for the 2003 East Chicago mayoral Democratic primary election. Battle had a history of "crimes of dishonesty," prompting the judge--unpersuaded by Battle's "everybody was doing it" defense--to sentence him to two years in prison. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3zENhbg

Tamika Lay

Tamika Lay pleaded guilty to voting in a precinct in which she did not live for the 2003 East Chicago Democratic primary. Though she initially called the errant vote a mistake, Lay eventually admitted that she wanted to cast a vote for her brother, Terrance Lay, who was a city council candidate for a different precinct. Lay was sentenced to one year of probation. At her sentencing hearing, she expressed frustration to the judge at being held accountable for her fraudulent act. She said, "People have been doing [fraudulently voting] for years, and all of a sudden they want to do something about it." Fraud in this 2003 primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election for the mayoral primary that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3yakLOj

Michelle Chandler

Michelle Chandler, a worker in the city controller's office, was charged with a fraudulent receipt of ballot, voting outside of her district, and perjury in connection to misconduct during the 2003 East Chicago Democratic mayoral primary. She was found guilty of one count of perjury in a jury trial, a felony, and given one year of probation. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3kYm67j

Dolores Croy

Dolores Croy pleaded guilty to voter fraud during the 2003 Democratic Primary in East Chicago, Indiana. She and her husband registered to vote and sent absentee ballots to the East Chicago voting district, using their business address. The couple's home address was actually in Hobart. Although both charges were Class D felonies, the charges were drastically reduced, and the couple only had to make a public apology and serve probation.

Source: https://herit.ag/3iOfTrM, https://herit.ag/3i5WG5C

Robert Croy

Robert Croy pleaded guilty to voter fraud during the 2003 Democratic Primary in East Chicago, Indiana. He and his wife registered to vote and sent absentee ballots to the East Chicago voting district, using their business address. The couple's home address was actually in Hobart, IN. Although both charges were class D felonies, the charges were drastically reduced and the couple only had to make a public apology and serve probation.

Source: https://herit.ag/3iOfTrM, https://herit.ag/3i5WG5C