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4 arrested in 2019 absentee ballot misuse investigation in Bridgeport

All of them were charged with unlawful possession of absentee ballots.

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — A Bridgeport city employee and city council member are among four people arrested in connection to misusing absentee ballots in the 2019 Bridgeport Democratic Mayoral Primary.

Wanda Geter-Pataky, 67, who is an employee for the city of Bridgeport, was arrested, along with Bridgeport City Councilor Alfredo Castillo, 52, and two Joe Ganim campaign workers: Nisla Heredia, 61 and Josephine Edmonds, 62.

All of them were charged with unlawful possession of absentee ballots.

Edmonds, Geter-Pataky and Heredia were also charged with tampering with a witness.

Geter-Pataky, Castillo and Heredia were charged with misrepresenting eligibility requirements for voting by absentee.

Castillo, Edmonds and Heredia were charged with failure to maintain absentee ballot distribution list.

Edmonds and Heredia were charged with being present when an absentee ballot applicant executed an absentee ballot.

Geter-Pataky and Castillo were charged with failure to sign an assister on an absentee ballot.

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Geter-Pataky failed to sign as an assister on an absentee ballot application she filled out on behalf of a voter, according to officials. She reportedly told a citizen to not vote in person and that she would pick up the citizen's absentee ballot. the citizen told investigators that Geter-Pataky said not to speak to anyone about it.

Heredia told prospective voters who to vote for on their ballots and told investigators she did not send an absentee ballot distribution list to the city Clerk's Office, according to court records.

For the August 2019 election, Castillo allegedly did not maintain an absentee ballot distribution list and failed to sign as an assister on absentee ballots, according to the arrest warrant.

Edmonds was present when four voters filled out their absentee ballots, and she took them when she left the home, the arrest warrant states. She also allegedly did not maintain an absentee ballot distribution list and told a witness to not testify truthfully in court.

"We only learned through the media that individuals from both 2019 mayoral primary campaigns have been charged with election violations. We have not been provided with any details other than what is contained in media reports," Mayor Joe Ganim told FOX61 reporter Matt Caron. 

The State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) is also investigating allegations of absentee ballot misuse during the 2023 Bridgeport Democratic Mayoral Primary.

Sen. Republican Leader Stephen Harding and Sen. Rob Sampson, Ranking Senator on the Government Administration and Elections Committee, said in a statement, Connecticut residents are demanding—and certainly deserve—real reform. Republicans are listening. Republicans will continue to put Democrats on the record as being opposed to reform. Despite ample video evidence, they voted no..

Gov. Ned Lamont said, " Justice will be served, I am glad the state's attorney, bringing charges and hold people accountable." Lamont also talked about recent changes that require the State Elections Enforcement Commission to conclude investigations within 90 days as opposed to dragging it out. 

Connecticut Democratic Chair Nancy DiNardo said in a statement, "Connecticut’s state law is very clear about how to handle absentee ballots. As we have said, if people have broken the law, they must face consequences. The Connecticut Democrats respect the findings of the State’s Attorney’s office and the legal process. The four individuals involved will have their day in court."

All four are scheduled to appear in court on June 24.

RELATED: Three-year Bridgeport City Councilman pleads guilty to civil rights offense when he ran for office

RELATED: Connecticut Supreme Court justices hear arguments on if Bridgeport voters can force the arrest of alleged ballot harvesters

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