James Brass and two associates have been federally charged with identity fraud connected to a scheme involving homeless individuals on Skid Row in Los Angeles. They are accused of using stolen identities of registered voters to forge signatures for ballot initiatives.
The indictment includes charges of conspiracy and identity fraud against Brass, Courtney Price, and Jateisha Herron. Brass and Price face additional fraud charges.
Federal prosecutors allege the group paid homeless individuals to fake signatures on voter petitions, which was revealed in an undercover investigation by journalist James O’Keefe.
The investigation indicated that circulators provided names and guidance to homeless people, leading to thousands of potential forgeries.
This indictment follows a previous guilty plea by Brenda Lee Brown Armstrong, who similarly paid homeless people for voter registrations in a signature-gathering scheme.
Bill Essayli, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, stated that such actions threaten voter confidence and vowed to combat election corruption actively.
The case heightens concerns regarding election integrity in California, particularly related to the signature-gathering process, and it may prompt calls for stronger verification measures in voter registration and petitions.
No comments:
Post a Comment