Election Fraud Cases
Details
William Eschenbach was charged by the state with two felony counts of voting more than once after voting twice in the June 2022 primary and twice in the November 2022 election. He voted by absentee ballot and again in person on election day but claimed in social media posts that he did it to show how insecure absentee voting is. He pleaded guilty to one of the charges and was sentenced to 6 months of probation and ordered to complete 40 hours of community service and pay $500 in restitution.
Source: herit.ag/3WpMOb9 , herit.ag/3WoxPOL , herit.ag/3Lq11yu
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Robert Anzulewicz was charged by the state in Routt County with one misdemeanor count of mail ballot offense in the 2022 general election. Anzulewicz forged and submitted an absentee ballot on behalf of his mother. He also submitted an absentee ballot for himself and attempted to vote again in person. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 days in jail, 2 years of probation, and assessed fees totaling $1,245.
Source: herit.ag/3W2l4Ie , herit.ag/4cLGfW2 , herit.ag/46dstJl , herit.ag/46dsoW3
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Michael DeFilippo, a Bridgeport City councilman and Democrat Party-endorsed candidate, was charged by the federal government with one count of conspiracy against rights, 3 counts of identity theft, and 11 counts of fraudulent registration after conspiring with others to request and submit fraudulent absentee ballots to be elected to the Bridgeport City Council during the 2017 and 2018 primary elections and the 2018 general election, which he won. DeFilippo, and others acting at his direction, fraudulently submitted Democratic political party affiliation applications and falsely registered and submitted absentee ballots on behalf of local university students who rented properties from DeFilippo. In some cases, he and the conspirators would assist his tenants with applications and in others, he would alter or forge party affiliation applications or request absentee ballots on their behalf, knowing those tenants did not meet criteria to vote absentee. In some cases, DeFilippo stole ballots from his tenants which he and his co-conspirators would fill out and fraudulently sign. DeFilippo, who resigned from the City Council after he was indicted, pleaded guilty to one felony count of deprivation of rights under color of law in exchange for dismissal of the other charges and is awaiting sentencing.
Source: herit.ag/3WpCK1L , herit.ag/3WnTOFw , herit.ag/3Ydb6ql , herit.ag/3WBrIqB
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Leslie Jackson, of Barren County, was charged by the state with one felony count of wrongful registration after her participation in a conspiracy by the Jackson family to bribe voters or obtain blank ballots from registered voters to help elect James "Darrell" Jackson, a Monroe County Constable, to the position of Monroe County Jailor, during the 2022 Republican primary election. The fraud was uncovered after a tip was submitted to the Attorney General's Election Fraud Hotline. Jackson pleaded guilty to the felony charge and was sentenced to one year, suspended for a period of five years pending successful completion of probation.
Source: herit.ag/4dYrsZg , herit.ag/3X0k89e
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Mary Jackson, of Tompkinsville was charged by the state with one felony count of engaging in organized crime, one felony count of second degree forgery, and six felony counts of making or receiving expenditures for voting after her participation in a conspiracy by the Jackson family to bribe voters or obtain blank ballots from registered voters to help elect James "Darrell" Jackson, a Monroe County Constable, to the position of Monroe County Jailor during the 2022 Republican primary election. The fraud was uncovered after a tip was submitted to the Attorney General's Election Fraud Hotline. Jackson pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to six years, suspended for a period of five years pending successful completion of probation.
Source: herit.ag/4dYrsZg , herit.ag/3X0k89e
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James "Darrell" Jackson, a Monroe County Constable, was charged by the state with one felony count of engaging in organized crime and 5 felony counts of making or receiving expenditures for voting after participating in a conspiracy by the Jackson family scheme to bribe voters or obtain blank ballots from registered voter during the 2022 Republican primary election to help secure his election as Monroe County Jailor. Jackson conspired with at least six others in his scheme. After a tip was submitted to the Attorney General's Election Fraud Hotline, an investigation was started and uncovered the fraud. Jackson pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to 6 years, with 5 years suspended pending successful completion of probation.
Source: herit.ag/4dYrsZg , herit.ag/3X0k89e
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Tommy McClendon, of Tompkinsville, was charged by the state with four felony counts of making or receiving expenditures for voting after his participation in a conspiracy by the Jackson family to bribe voters or obtain blank ballots from registered voters to help elect James "Darrell" Jackson, a Monroe County Constable, to the position of Monroe County Jailor during the 2022 Republican primary election. He pleaded guilty to all counts and entered a pretrial diversion program for a period of 5 years.
Source: herit.ag/4dYrsZg , herit.ag/3X0k89e
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MD Hossain Morshed, a former Democratic Atlantic City councilman, was charged by the federal government with one felony count of fraudulent procurement and submission of voter registration applications, one count of false statements, and one count of wire fraud. Morshed coerced non-residents to register to vote and submit absentee ballots using forms that Morshed had filled out for the June 2019 Democratic primary election, which Morshed won (and then went on to win in the November 2019 general election). When a resident of Galloway questioned the legality of signing the absentee ballot request, Morshed presented other absentee ballot request forms he was submitting and offered the individual a job in the Atlantic City government if Morshed was elected. After submitting the absentee ballot, Morshed instructed the individual to change his voter registration back to Galloway. When the individual was contacted by law enforcement, Morshed told him to lie and say that he lived part-time in Atlantic City and that Morshed had not filled out the forms. Morshed also lied to the FBI claiming he never provided anyone with voter registration or absentee ballot request documents, helped fill them out, or collected any documents from prospective voters. Three other individuals were solicited by Morshed to falsely register and submit an absentee ballot; two of the ballots were accepted and one ballot was rejected. He pleaded guilty to one count of fraudulent procurement and submission of voter registration applications in exchange for dismissal of the other charges and is awaiting sentencing.
Source: herit.ag/3WuiA76 , herit.ag/3Y8mW4T , herit.ag/3LrEfWT , herit.ag/4f8wenC , herit.ag/3zM6mOa , herit.ag/4d7P3VV
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Harris County 180th District Court Judicial Election
The result of the 180th district court judicial election was overturned in Harris County, Texas, after a state judge concluded that over 1,400 illegal votes had been counted. The margin of victory was only 449 votes in an election in which over one million votes were cast. However, the judge found clear and convincing evidence that 983 votes were cast by individuals who did not actually reside in Harris County, did not correctly list their residence, or listed non-residential addresses such as post offices as their residence on their voter registration; 40 absentee ballots lacked the required signatures and 8 ballots were not mailed in a timely manner; 445 voters did not provide proper identification or substitute documentation to prove their identity; 5 provisional ballots lacked a signature and one lacked a photo ID or an acceptable substitute. In total, the court ruled that 1,482 illegal votes were cast in the election, far outweighing the 449-vote margin between the two candidates. The court ordered a new election.
Source: herit.ag/3Y4e2VV
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Kimberly Zapata, the former Milwaukee Election Commission Deputy Director, was charged by the state with one felony count of misconduct in public office and 3 misdemeanor counts of absentee ballot fraud after requesting military absentee ballots under false names and sending them to a Wisconsin state legislator's home during the 2022 election. Military voters do not have to show a voter ID and Zapata claimed she was a whistleblower trying to expose vulnerabilities in the election system. She used Wisconsin's online voter registration website to request the military absentee ballots and had them sent to the home of Rep. Janel Brandtien (R-Menomoneee Falls). Upon receiving the ballots, Brandtien contacted authorities and the media, and Zapata was fired from her position on the Milwaukee Election Commission. Zapata was found guilty by a jury of all charges and sentenced to 9 months’ imprisonment (which was stayed pending successful completion of 12 months of probation), ordered to complete 120 hours of community service, and ordered to pay $5,657 in fines, assessments, and court costs.
Source: herit.ag/465UAKx , herit.ag/3LpwMYF , herit.ag/3WBrXlv , herit.ag/3Lv6cx2
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Gloria Lopez Torres, a San Luis City Councilwoman, was charged by the state with felony counts of conspiracy and ballot abuse after trafficking absentee ballots during the August 2020 primary election as part of a larger ballot harvesting scheme. Torres picked up 7 ballots from Nadia Lizarraga-Mayorquin (who was also charged and convicted) and put them into a drop box in 2020. Arizona law only permits family members and close relatives to do this. Torres pleaded guilty to one count of ballot abuse and was sentenced to 24 months of probation and fined $2,500. She may not run or be appointed to public office again, but she was allowed to finish her current term ending in December 2024.
Source: herit.ag/4aFU4Vw , herit.ag/4aK3Mq0 , herit.ag/3NOw8p0 , herit.ag/3tEqRcL
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Nadia Guadalupe Lizarraga-Mayorquin "Buchanan"
Nadia Lizarraga-Mayorquin (aka Nadia Buchanan) of San Luis was charged by the state with felony counts of conspiracy and ballot abuse after trafficking absentee ballots during the August 2020 Primary election as part of a larger ballot harvesting scheme. Arizona law only permits family members and close relatives to do this. Lizarraga-Mayorquin trafficked at least 7 ballots to Gloria Lopez and at least one ballot herself from a third party. She pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of ballot abuse and was sentenced to 24 months of probation and fined $2,500.
Source: herit.ag/47nHwiw , herit.ag/3vtrbeS , herit.ag/47nHEP2 , herit.ag/3S5dfke
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Shakir Khan, a Lodi City Councilman, was charged by the state with 14 felony counts for voter registration fraud in connection with the 2020 Lodi City Council Election in which he defeated three opponents including the incumbent by 282 votes. Khan was charged with causing false voter registration, one count of false registration of fictitious person/person not requesting registration, 7 counts of subscription of fictitious name to nomination petition, 2 counts of false nomination/declaration of candidacy, one count of procuring/assisting/counseling/advising another not qualified to vote, and one count of aiding and abetting commission of fraudulent voting. An investigation by the San Joaquin Sheriff’s office discovered 41 sealed and completed mail-in ballots when searching his home, and a citizen looking into the voter rolls discovered 71 names registered to Khan's address, phone number, or email. Khan took advantage of members of the Pakistani community with his election fraud misconduct. Khan, who resigned from his position, was also charged with illegal gambling, tax evasion, unemployment fraud and other charges, for a total of 77 criminal charges against him (71 felonies and 6 misdemeanors). Khan pleaded no contest to all 77 charges including the 14 felony election fraud charges and is awaiting sentencing.
Source: herit.ag/4e1uNa0 , herit.ag/3yMFJYG , herit.ag/4aEH9BN , herit.ag/3KiXwcC , herit.ag/4aEBfAW , herit.ag/4dXdkiX
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Bridgeport Municipal Mayoral Democratic Primary 2023 Election
The results of the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut Democratic mayoral primary election, which was held on September 12, 2023, were overturned due to absentee ballot fraud in an election where only 251 votes separated the winner (Joseph Ganim) and the loser (John Gomes). Superior Court Judge William Clark ordered that a new primary election between Ganim (the party-endorsed candidate) and Gomes (the challenger) should be held because an unusually large number of absentee ballots that were counted had been illegally placed in drop boxes by two unauthorized ballot distributors who were Ganim supporters: Wanda Geter-Pataky (a Democratic Town Committee member and the Leader of Voting District 136) and Eneida Martinez (a candidate for City Council). The court determined that videos of Geter-Pataky and Martinez illegally dropping off stacks of votes into various drop boxes “provided evidence of ballot harvesting, in violation of state law.” Geter-Pataky made 10 drops either directly or indirectly, and Martinez made 5 separate drops of multiple ballots. The court also found “the volume of ballots mishandled is such it calls the result of the primary election in serious doubt and unable to determine the legitimate result of the primary.”
Source: herit.ag/3TBYUNy
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Robert Rivernider Jr., a Republican Party activist and Donald Trump supporter, was charged by the state in Sumter County with 3 felony counts forgery of public records, fraud in connection with casting a vote, and passing a counterfeit instrument after submitting an absentee ballot that was not his own during the 2020 General Election. Rivernider forged his deceased father's signature on an absentee ballot and mailed it in. The Sumter County Election Supervisor noticed a discrepancy in the signature and found it was similar to Rivernider's own signature. He was convicted by a jury and is awaiting sentencing.
Source: herit.ag/3RO7qaJ , herit.ag/3tjyntD
Key & Definitions
Types of Cases
Any case that results in a defendant entering a plea of guilty or no contest, or being found guilty in court of election-related offenses.
A finding by a court of law that fraud occurred in an election, including judicial orders overturning election results or ordering a new election due to fraud.
Any civil case resulting in fines or other penalties imposed for a violation of election laws.
A finding by a government body that fraud occurred in an election, including orders overturning election results or ordering a new election due to fraud.
Any criminal case in which a judge directs a defendant into a pre-trial diversion program, or stays or defers adjudication with the understanding that the conviction will be cleared upon completion of the program.
Types of Voter Fraud
Requesting absentee ballots and voting without the knowledge of the actual voter; or obtaining the absentee ballot from a voter and either filling it in directly and forging the voter’s signature or illegally telling the voter who to vote for.
Illegal registration and voting by individuals who are not U.S. citizens, are convicted felons, or are otherwise not eligible to vote.
Voting in the name of other legitimate voters and voters who have died, moved away, or lost their right to vote because they are felons, but remain registered.
Paying voters to cast either an in-person or absentee ballot for a particular candidate.
Forging the signatures of registered voters on the ballot petitions that must be filed with election officials in some states for a candidate or issue to be listed on the official ballot
Registering in multiple locations and voting in the same election in more than one jurisdiction or state.
Voting under fraudulent voter registrations that either use a phony name and a real or fake address or claim residence in a particular jurisdiction where the registered voter does not actually live and is not entitled to vote.
Changing the actual vote count either in a precinct or at the central location where votes are counted.
Forcing or intimidating voters—particularly the elderly, disabled, illiterate, and those for whom English is a second language—to vote for particular candidates while supposedly providing them with “assistance.”
