We never heard much about voter fraud before Donald Trump came on the scene, but it's nice to know that attempts at voter fraud are caught and prevented in Columbia County. The following press release was issued today by the office of District Attorney Chris Liberati-Conant. The person identified as a "Hudson man" does not live in Hudson. He may live within the 12534 zip code, but Gossips' research found he actually lives in Livingston.
A Hudson man was arraigned on a sealed indictment this week that alleges he attempted to obtain a mail-in ballot for the 2024 fall election in the name of a deceased person.
Kevin Sweet, 42, faces eight counts--four felonies and four misdemeanors--in connection with the incident brought to light when the Columbia County Board of Elections discovered the attempted illegal act and presented its findings to law enforcement.
The indictment, issued by a Columbia County Grand Jury March 24 and unsealed March 25 in front of Judge Brian Herman charges Sweet with Procuring Fraudulent Documents in Order to Vote, an unclassified felony; Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, a Class E felony; Perjury in the Second Degree, a Class E felony; Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, a Class E felony; Falsifying Business Records in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor; Perjury in the Third Degree, a Class A misdemeanor; Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the Second Degree, a Class A misdemeanor; and Illegal Voting, a Class A misdemeanor.
Each Class E felony carries a maximum sentence of between one-and-a-third to four years in prison while the Class A misdemeanors carry a maximum sentence of one year in jail. Sweet is set to return to court April 29, 2026.
It is alleged Sweet submitted a fraudulent mail-in ballot application in October 2024 in the name of a deceased person in an effort to have a ballot sent to an address associated with Sweet. Security measures in place by the Board of Elections kept Sweet from bring successful in his effort to obtain a ballot.
"I thank our election commissioners for their vigilance and cooperation," said District Attorney Chris Liberati-Conant. "Elections are the foundation of our democracy, and I will scrupulously protect their integrity. Defendant thought he could obtain an absentee ballot for a dead man. Instead he got caught. Do not try to commit election fraud in Columbia County. You will be caught and you will be prosecuted."
Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Rohlfing oversaw the investigation for the District Attorney's Office and represents the People of the State of New York. Joseph Granich of Albany represents the defendant.
When I read that story and did some inquiries on this cat on FB, I was for a moment under the belief he might live in Greenport. At least I'm spared that embarrassement.
ReplyDeleteFurther findings were, based on photos he had posted, that he appears to be a staunch GOP voter. This of course is ironic.