BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Another bombshell announcement in the Bridgeport ballot fraud scandal, as the State Elections Enforcement Commission has referred two investigations for potential prosecution. This is significant because it means the State Elections Enforcement Commission found the evidence credible enough to hand over to the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney.
Will anyone be held accountable for alleged ballot fraud in Bridgeport? That decision is now being left to Chief State’s Attorney Patrick Griffin. In an interview from February, Gov. Lamont told FOX61 he has been in touch with Griffin.
RELATED: Council meeting vote delayed as Bristol’s proposal to kill geese using gas meets stiff opposition
“I have a little bit. The wheels of justice are too slow. I think it’s really important that you hold people accountable and you hold them accountable on a timely basis,” said Lamont.
So far, no one has been charged or arrested. That includes Wanda Geter, the Bridgeport city worker caught on camera putting fistfuls of envelopes into an absentee ballot drop box. This video resulted in a Superior Court judge ordering a new primary.
“Months and months later there is nothing that has been done,” said former Bridgeport mayoral candidate John Gomes. “I hope this step now will be expedited and done swiftly and firmly.”
The State Elections Enforcement Commission met Wednesday and voted unanimously to pass along those two referrals.
“The commission authorizes the council to refer this matter for consultation to the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney,” said William Smith, an attorney for the SEEC. “Referring any evidence of possible criminal violations related to potential election law violations discovered in the course of the commission’s investigation."
The referrals don’t specifically name suspects, but they do name locations. 999 Broad Street is the address of the Margaret Morton Government Center, and that drop box where Wanda was caught. A second referral cites the Fireside Apartments, where City Councilwoman Maria Pereira was accused of rummaging through an elderly woman’s home for a ballot.
Griffin’s office may not be the only avenue for accountability. The group Fight Voter Fraud will have their case heard before the State Supreme Court on May 1. Their aim is to get the state to use an old law that would allow Bridgeport voters to force an arrest.
"We saw that the Chief State's Attorney's Office was not moving forward. We are supposed to have quick justice on everything,” said Fight Voter Fraud CEO Linda Synkowicz.
The Chief State’s Attorney’s Office told FOX61 it is aware of the SEEC vote and is awaiting official documentation.
They went on to say, “The DCJ does not comment on the status of pending investigations.”
----
Matt Caron is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at mcaron@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
----
Do you 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.