The U.S. Justice Department
released the below information:
A former U.S. Congressman was
charged Tuesday in an indictment unsealed today, with conspiring to violate
voting rights by fraudulently stuffing the ballot boxes for specific candidates
in the 2014, 2015, and 2016 primary elections, bribery of an election official,
falsification of records, voting more than once in federal elections, and
obstruction of justice.
Michael “Ozzie” Myers, 77, of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, is charged with conspiring with and bribing the former Judge of
Elections for the 39th Ward, 36th Division, Domenick J.
Demuro.
Demuro, who pleaded
guilty previously in federal court in Philadelphia, was
responsible for overseeing the entire election process and all voter activities
of his division in accord with federal and state election laws.
“Free and fair elections are the hallmark
of our system of government,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian
C. Rabbitt of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The
Department of Justice has zero tolerance for corruption of the electoral
process, and we will spare no effort in investigating and prosecuting those who
would seek an unfair advantage at the polls by bribing state and local
officials responsible for ensuring the fairness of our elections.”
“Voting is the cornerstone of our
democracy. If only one vote has been illegally rung up or fraudulently
stuffed into a ballot box, the integrity of that entire election is
undermined,” said U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain of the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania. “Votes are not things to be purchased and democracy is not
for sale. If you are a political consultant, election official, or work with
the polling places in any way, I urge you to do your job honestly and
faithfully. That is what the public deserves, it is what democracy
demands, and it is what my office will enforce.”
“Transparent and fair elections are
integral to the proper functioning of our democracy,” said Special Agent in
Charge Michael J. Driscoll of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. “Those who
seek to corrupt the vote threaten the public’s trust in the process and must be
brought to justice. The FBI is determined to protect the integrity of our
electoral system.”
“These charges, announced today by the
Justice Department, clearly illustrate allegations of absolute disregard for
the sanctity of our electoral system,” said Captain Leo D. Hannon Jr., Director
of the Special Investigations Division of the Pennsylvania State Police.
“As disheartening as this conduct may be for the voting public in
Philadelphia and elsewhere, the citizens we serve should be reassured by the
fearless and tireless work of the attorneys, agents, and troopers tasked with
the continuation of this active investigation. Particularly in the
current atmosphere of impending elections, the Pennsylvania State Police
prioritize investigations into allegations of voter fraud and public
corruption.”
Myers is charged with bribing Demuro to
illegally add votes for certain candidates of their mutual party in primary
elections. Some ofthese candidates were individuals running for judicial office
whose campaigns had hired Myers, andothers were candidates for various federal,
state, and local elective offices whom Myers favored for a variety of
reasons. According to the indictment, Myers would solicit payments from
his clients in the form of cash or checks as “consulting fees,” and then use
portions of these funds to pay Demuro and others in return for tampering with
election results.
After receiving payments
ranging from between $300 to $5,000 per election from the consultant, the court
papers allege Demuro would add fraudulent votes on the voting machine – also
known as “ringing up” votes – for Myers’ clients and preferred candidates,
thereby diluting the value of ballots cast by actual voters.
At Myers’ direction, Demuro
would add these fraudulent votes to the totals during Election Day, and then
would later falsely certify that the voting machine results were
accurate. Myers is also accused of directing Demuro to lie about the
circumstances of the bribes and the ballot-stuffing scheme to investigators.
This case is being investigated by the FBI
with assistance from the Pennsylvania State Police. It is being
prosecuted by Richard C. Pilger, Director of the Elections Crimes Branch of the
Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric
L. Gibson.
An indictment is an accusation. A
defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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