THE
HUNTERDON COUNTY NEWS |
TITLE: Two More Campaign Workers Charged with Voter Fraud in Atlantic City Mayoral Primary
DESCRIPTION:
Time: 08:46:25
Attorney General Anne Milgram and Criminal Justice Director Deborah L. Gramiccioni announced that two more workers for the June 2 mayoral primary campaign of Atlantic City Councilman Marty Small were charged today with voter fraud, bringing to five the total number of workers accused of tampering with applications for messenger ballots or fraudulently submitting messenger ballots.
Michelle Griffin, 29, of Pleasantville, and Toni Dixon, 51, of Atlantic City were charged by complaint today with voter fraud and tampering with public records.
Similar charges were filed earlier this month against David K. Callaway, 45, of Pleasantville, Luquay Q. Zahir, 34, of Atlantic City, and Floyd Tally, 39, also of Atlantic City.
Griffin and Dixon were each charged with two counts of voter fraud (second and third degree) and one count of tampering with public records (third degree).
Griffin was arrested this morning at her home in Pleasantville. Bail was set for her at $50,000. Dixon is being sought on a complaint summons.
Griffin was charged with disenfranchising at least four voters who never received or voted their absentee ballots even though they completed the applications. The absentee ballots were picked up and submitted by Griffin to the Board of Elections, even though voters did not vote, according to the complaint. Griffin was also charged with directing absentee ballot voters to sign the absentee portion of the application without designating a messenger. But the applications were submitted with Griffin listed as a messenger.
Dixon was charged with disenfranchising at least six voters who completed absentee ballot applications but never received or voted the ballots. It is charged the absentee ballots were picked up and subsequently submitted by Dixon as completed and valid ballots, although they were never counted because they were submitted late to the Board of Elections.
Dixon is also charged with directing voters to sign the absentee portion of the ballot application without designating a messenger, and then later designating herself as the messenger.
Messenger ballots are for use only by those who are homebound due to illness, infirmity or disability. Such persons can complete an application designating a messenger who is a family member or a registered voter in the county. The messenger is thereby authorized to obtain an absentee ballot from the county board of elections, take it to the voter, and return a completed ballot to the county board.
“If any voters believe they were denied their right to vote as a result of fraud, we urge them to contact the Division of Criminal Justice’s confidential tip line, 1-866-TIPS-4CJ,” said Director Gramiccioni.
The case is being investigated by the New Jersey State Police Official Corruption Bureau South Unit and the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau. They have been assisted by the New Jersey State Police Official Corruption Bureau North Unit, the State Police Intelligence Management Bureau, the State Police Casino Gaming Bureau, the State Police Organized Crime Control Bureau, and the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Department.
The case is being handled for the Division of Criminal Justice by Deputy Attorney General Robert Czepiel Jr., Deputy Attorney General Asha Vaghela, Deputy Attorney General Anthony Picione, who is deputy chief of the Corruption Bureau, and Deputy Attorney General Peter Lee.
Second-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison and a criminal fine of $150,000, while third-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of five years in state prison and a $15,000 fine.
Because the charges are indictable offenses, this case is subject to presentation to a grand jury for potential indictment. The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Attorney General Milgram and Director Gramiccioni noted that, in addition to using the toll free tip line, the public can log on to the Division of Criminal Justice Web page at www.njdcj.org to report suspected election fraud. All information received through the Division of Criminal Justice tip line or Web page will remain confidential.