BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — A metropolis councilor in Connecticut was arrested Friday on 10 further counts in reference to an investigation into absentee poll tampering within the state’s largest metropolis, officers stated.
Bridgeport Metropolis Council member Alfredo Castillo was amongst 5 Democratic politicians and operatives charged earlier this yr with tampering with absentee ballots within the 2023 Democratic main election. Claims of misuse of the ballots spurred a court-ordered rerun of a mayoral main and common election and helped gas skepticism in regards to the safety of U.S. elections.
The brand new counts in opposition to Castillo embrace a number of counts of possession of restricted ballots and envelopes, failure to signal as assister on an absentee poll and misrepresenting eligibility necessities for voting by absentee poll, Chief State’s Lawyer Patrick Griffin’s workplace stated.
Castillo didn’t instantly reply to an e mail in search of remark. His lawyer, Frank Riccio, stated he’ll “examine the proof the State claims it has and decide if their case holds water.”
Police have stated that within the run-up to the 2023 main, surveillance movies confirmed individuals on a number of events stuffing what gave the impression to be a number of absentee ballots into metropolis assortment bins.
Castillo and different defendants have additionally been accused of illegally serving to voters fill out ballots and telling them who to vote for, based on arrest warrants.
Castillo was beforehand charged with comparable absentee poll crimes related to the 2019 election.
Griffin’s workplace stated Castillo was launched Friday with a promise to look in Bridgeport Superior Courtroom on Sept. 2.
