BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Monday morning, four campaign workers facing criminal charges related to election fraud were arraigned in Bridgeport Superior Court.
All four defendants were transferred to “Part A” Court — the Bridgeport office which handles more serious criminal cases.
These charges relate to the 2019 Bridgeport Democratic Mayoral Primary, in connection with the misuse of absentee ballots.
Wanda Geter-Pataky is charged with four Class-D felonies related to election fraud. Monday, the judge ordered her not to have any contact with the voter she allegedly misrepresented.
Bridgeport City Councilor Alfredo Castillo was also arraigned, along with campaign workers Nilsa Heredia and Josephine Edmunds.
Charges include unlawful possession of absentee ballots, witness tampering, misrepresenting absentee ballot eligibility requirements and failure to maintain a ballot distribution list.
Castillo maintained his innocence — he was the only one to enter a “not guilty” plea Monday.
“It's a whole political injustice,” said Castillo’s attorney Sam Kretzmer. “This is what this whole case is about and we're going to fight this and deal with this in court.”
She said they plan on taking this case to trial.
“The truth will come out,” Kretzmer added. “He's adamantly denying these allegations and looking forward to putting this behind him and moving forward.”
For those who said they’ve been waiting for justice since 2019, they hope this is a turning point for the city.
“For us and for the voters of Bridgeport today to see these people finally being brought to justice is a great day for democracy,” said Callie Heilmann, president & co-director of Bridgeport Generation Now. “It's a great day to say that there is accountability for these actions.”
Heilmann is part of the group which initially filed a lawsuit claiming voter fraud in 2019.
“Of course we would have preferred to be standing here in 2020, talking about this to prevent what happened in 2023,” she said.
Last year’s allegations of ballot misconduct, where a judge found widespread fraud and ordered an election redo, are part of a separate investigation, one advocates hope takes fewer than five years.
“We're very hopeful that the state of Connecticut will be swift and just in bringing charges for 2023,” said Heilmann.
All four defendants are due back in court July 10.
Emma Wulfhorst is a political reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at ewulfhorst@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
---
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.