Prosecutions Mount in East Chicago Primary Fraud

Prosecutions Mount in East Chicago Primary Fraud

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It’s been more than three years since massive voter fraud tainted a mayoral primary in Northwest Indiana.

Prosecutions from that race continue to mount. 34 people have been charged or convicted in connection with the tainted May 2003 mayoral primary in East Chicago, Indiana.

On Thursday three others, including business owner Antonio Mendiola, pleaded guilty to voting in the primary even though they didn’t live in East Chicago. In that race, then-mayor Robert Pastrick narrowly defeated challenger George Pabey. Pabey challenged the outcome in court alleging fraud in the collection of absentee ballots. The Indiana Supreme Court ordered a special election a year later, which Pabey won.

The Indiana Attorney General’s office, along with the Lake County, Indiana prosecutor’s office, set up a task force to prosecute cases from the tainted primary. The Task Force’s work isn’t expected to wrap up anytime soon. In fact, more indictments may come next month.