Four Connecticut Democratic operatives are facing charges related to election offenses, including one woman who was previously under scrutiny for alleged “ballot stuffing” during a mayoral primary in Bridgeport. The accused individuals, two campaign workers, Bridgeport City Councilmember Alfredo Castillo, and Democratic Town Committee Vice Chair Wanda Geter-Pataky, were charged with various offenses, such as unlawful possession of absentee ballots. Geter-Pataky was specifically accused of not signing as an “assister” on an absentee ballot application she had completed for a potential voter. Similarly, Castillo was accused of misrepresenting eligibility requirements for absentee voting and failing to sign as an assister.
It is worth noting that three of the defendants, including Geter-Pataky and Castillo, supported Mayor Joseph Ganim’s re-election in 2019, while the fourth backed Ganim’s primary opponent, Marilyn Moore. Ganim, the mayor of the state’s largest city, has consistently denied any knowledge of his supporters’ alleged actions. The four accused individuals are set to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on June 24. In a previous incident, a state judge overturned the 2023 Democratic mayoral primary in Bridgeport due to allegations of absentee ballot fraud, leading to the ordering of a new election.
During this incident, Geter-Pataky and another individual were reportedly captured on CCTV video making multiple trips to deposit a significant number of absentee ballots into drop boxes. The footage was aired on Fox News Channel, where a correspondent confronted Geter-Pataky, who declined to comment. In response to these events, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont dismissed claims linking the alleged corruption to early voting and expanded absentee balloting, emphasizing that the issue lies with individuals engaging in corrupt actions.
Chief Connecticut State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the voting process, stating that three of the defendants were also charged with witness tampering in the current case. Griffin expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Statewide Prosecution Bureau in investigating these matters and hopes that these prosecutions will serve as a deterrent against future election tampering in Connecticut. It is essential to remember that all four defendants are innocent until proven guilty.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Charles Creitz, a reporter for Fox News Digital, highlighted the significance of these charges and the ongoing investigations. As a Pennsylvania native and Temple University graduate in Broadcast Journalism, Charles brings a wealth of experience in covering media, politics, and culture. His commitment to reporting on critical issues underscores the importance of upholding democratic principles and ensuring the fairness of the electoral process.