East Chicago Voter Fraud Scandal Heats Up

East Chicago Voter Fraud Scandal Heats Up

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More than three years has past since massive voter fraud tainted the mayoral primary in East Chicago, Indiana, but prosecutors continue to go after those who were part of the fraud.

Thirty-four people have been either charged or convicted in connection with the tainted May 2003 mayoral primary in East Chicago, Indiana. This morning prosecutors will add 11 more to that list.

Local and state authorities will announce indictments against 11 East Chicago city employees, including three veteran officers of the city’s police department, for voting in the primary, even though they lived outside the city.

In that heated primary, then-Mayor Robert Pastrick narrowly defeated challenger George Pabey. Pabey challenged his primary loss in court alleging illegal absentee and ballot box voting. But because of fraud, the Indiana Supreme Court eventually ordered a special election a year later, which Pabey won.

A special task force is investigating and prosecuting cases from the 2003 primary.