West Virginia sheriff falsified ballots in close election
By Steven Adams
Reuters
1:37 p.m. CST, January 30, 2012
CHARLESTON, W.V. (Reuters) - A West Virginia sheriff pleaded guilty to voter fraud in the state's 2010 primary election including illegally filling in some absentee ballots out of fear he might lose a close election, authorities said on Monday.
Lincoln County, West Virginia Sheriff Jerry Bowman admitted falsifying absentee ballots in a case stemming from an investigation by federal authorities, the U.S. Attorney's office said.
Also pleading guilty to lying to investigators was Lincoln County Clerk Donald Whitten, the U.S. Attorney said.
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Bowman, 58, admitted falsifying more than 100 absentee ballots, was illegally in the same room as voters marking absentee ballots and sometimes marked the ballots himself, authorities said.
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Whitten, 62, admitted to making a false statement about his role in the conspiracy, in which he provided absentee ballots. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Both men, who are Democrats, also agreed to resign from office and never seek office again.
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Several years ago, Lincoln County's Circuit Clerk and Assessor were convicted of felonies for vote buying after tampering with the 2004 Democratic primary. That same assessor, Jerry Weaver, is running for sheriff, despite being a felon.
Remainder of article @ http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-westvirgnia-voterfraudtre80t1mc-20120130,0,5990239.story
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