Election Fraud Cases

Arthur Vera, Elvia Vera, Armando Vera, Pedro Moro, and Yolanda Ramirez

Arthur, Elvia, and Armando Vera, Pedro Moro, and Yolanda Ramirez, pleaded guilty to voting in another precinct during the 2003 East Chicago Democratic primary. 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/3f4EZ4z

Jose Arroyo and Mabel Komendat

Jose Arroyo and Mabel Komendat were convicted of voting in another precinct after voting in an East Chicago election despite living in Hammond and Highland, respectively. They were both sentenced to one year probation and 50 hours of community service. Fraud in the 2003 East Chicago 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/3i9HxR3

Levones Tolbert

East Chicago Councilman Levones Tolbert was charged with offering money in exchange for votes, among other offenses. Tolbert pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of unauthorized polling place entry and was sentenced to 30 days' probation. Fraud in the 2003 East Chicago 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/2Vf1wVg

Allan "Twig" Simmons

Allan "Twig" Simmons, an operative for the Chicago mayor's campaign, was charged with three counts of attempted obstruction of justice and six counts of ballot fraud after persuading individuals to let him fill out their absentee ballots in exchange for jobs. He pleaded guilty to three counts of fraudulent application, showing, examination, receipt or delivery of ballots. He was sentenced to 3 years' probation and 100 hours of community service. Fraud in the 2003 East Chicago 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/3rANV6V

Raymond Carillo

Raymond Carillo pleaded guilty to one count of voting in a precinct in which he did not live for the 2003 East Chicago mayoral Democratic primary election. 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/3f42NFH

Ashley Dunlop

Mr. Ashley Dunlop pleaded guilty to the charge of aiding the fraudulent application of a ballot in connection to misconduct surrounding the 2003 East Chicago Democratic mayoral primary election. He was sentenced to one year 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/3i79ZTF

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

Charles Hart

Charles "Chuck" Hart, of Salt Lick, Kentucky, was found guilty of vote buying, obstruction of justice, and lying to federal agents. He bought votes during a Bath County primary election, and subsequently tried to contact and pressure jurors to rule in his favor. Hart was sentenced to 33 months' federal imprisonment.

Source: https://herit.ag/3CoS3Lk

Edward Pinkney

Following a jury trial, Reverand Edward Pinkney of Benton Harbor was found guilty of possessing other individuals' absentee ballots and buying votes in a 2005 runoff election. At a local soup kitchen, Pinkney would pay $5 to each poor or homeless person who would fill out an absentee ballot.

Source: https://herit.ag/2Wi17BW