July 15th 2024.
On July 10, a city councilman and three campaign workers in Bridgeport, Connecticut, pleaded not guilty to charges of absentee ballot fraud. The defendants, 67-year-old Wanda Geter-Pataky, 52-year-old Alfredo Castillo, 61-year-old Nilsa Heredia, and 62-year-old Josephine Edmonds, were all involved in the 2019 mayoral campaign. These charges have caused quite a stir in the community and have raised questions about the integrity of the election process.
According to reports from The Connecticut Post, Geter-Pataky is the deputy head of the Democratic Town Committee in Bridgeport, while Castillo serves as a city councilman. Heredia is a supporter of Mayor Joe Ganim's re-election campaign, and Edmonds supports Ganim's challenger, state Senator Marilyn Moore. The charges against them include witness tampering, misrepresenting eligibility requirements for absentee voting, failure to maintain an absentee ballot distribution list, and being present during the execution of an absentee ballot. However, all of the accused have pleaded not guilty to these charges.
One of the defendants' attorneys, Kenneth Krayeske, raised concerns about Ganim not being charged despite allegedly benefiting from the fraud. In response, Ganim's spokesperson, Rowena White, issued a statement denouncing Krayeske's claims as false and seeking attention for himself. Ganim, who previously served time for a corruption conviction, also emphasized the importance of upholding the integrity of the voting process, regardless of which campaign was involved.
Moore, who is set to retire from the state senate, echoed Ganim's sentiments and spoke of the importance of integrity in all campaigns. She expressed disappointment in one of her staff members being involved in such activities, saying it goes against her values and principles. Moore also commented on the length of time it took for the charges to be brought forward, stating that five years is too long for a case to be prosecuted. She believes this has had a ripple effect on subsequent elections in Bridgeport.
All four defendants have been released, with a promise to appear in court on June 24. This case has brought attention to the issue of election fraud and the impact it can have on the democratic process. It is a reminder that the integrity of the voting process must always be safeguarded to ensure fair and just elections.
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