Staff Reports
A city employee and council member in Bridgeport, Connecticut, were recently arrested and charged with fraudulent election activity from the 2019 elections. Wanda Geter-Pataky, a city employee, and city councilor Alfredo Castillo, along with two Joe Ganim campaign workers, were charged with various election-related offenses, including unlawful possession of absentee ballots, tampering with a witness, and misrepresenting eligibility requirements for voting by absentee.
These charges stem from a five-year investigation into election shenanigans during the 2019 mayoral race. Surveillance videos showed individuals stuffing multiple absentee ballots into outdoor collection boxes, which led to a new election being ordered. Mayor Ganim ultimately won reelection in an unusual general election in February after a series of messy races and legal challenges.
NOT ENOUGH. THERE SHOULD BE LEGIONS OF THESE: Who Is ‘Wanda The Stuffer’? And Why Did She Get Arre: NOT ENOUGH. THERE SHOULD BE LEGIONS OF THESE: Who Is ‘Wanda The Stuffer’? And Why Did She Get Arrested. https://t.co/WtYqv6LHX6 #Trump2024 pic.twitter.com/HERM9HyMLR
— JPNWMN (@JPNWMN) June 17, 2024
The State Elections Enforcement Commission only referred evidence of alleged criminal conduct to state prosecutors in 2023, sparking questions about why it took five years for action to be taken. Mayor Ganim claims he was unaware of the alleged illegal campaign activities, while the local chapter of Black Lives Matter criticized Connecticut Democrats for turning a blind eye to these actions, which they argue led to the disenfranchisement of black voters.
This situation highlights concerns about election integrity and the dangers of ballot harvesting. The arrest of Geter-Pataky and others underscores the need for stronger measures to ensure the fairness and security of elections.
