Prominent Democratic Operatives Face Charges in Bridgeport Voting Scandal
Authorities in Connecticut have arrested five individuals, including high-profile Democratic political operatives, on charges of absentee ballot tampering in the 2023 mayoral election in Bridgeport. The case, which led to a court-ordered rerun of the election, has reignited concerns over election security and the use of ballot drop boxes.
The individuals charged include Wanda Geter-Pataky, Vice Chairperson of the Bridgeport Democratic Town Committee, along with Bridgeport Democratic City Council Members Alfredo Castillo, Maria Pereira, and Jazmarie Melendez. A woman from Stratford was also arrested, but authorities have not provided further details about her legal representation.
Prosecutors allege the defendants illegally possessed absentee ballots, pressured voters into selecting specific candidates, and misrepresented absentee ballot rules. Geter-Pataky and Castillo had already faced similar charges in connection with the 2019 election, making this their second time being accused of absentee ballot-related crimes.
Surveillance Videos Spark Legal Action
The investigation gained momentum after surveillance footage from the 2023 election appeared to show individuals placing multiple absentee ballots into collection boxes during the Democratic primary. John Gomes, a Democratic candidate for mayor who narrowly lost to incumbent Joe Ganim, accused Geter-Pataky of being one of the individuals involved in the alleged ballot stuffing.
Following a legal challenge by Gomes, a state judge ruled that the evidence of ballot tampering warranted a new primary and general election. Ganim emerged victorious in both rerun elections.
During a court hearing in late 2023, Geter-Pataky and another Ganim supporter invoked their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, refusing to answer questions about the allegations. Ganim has denied any knowledge of wrongdoing.
Bridgeport Scandal Fuels National Election Security Debate
The controversy in Bridgeport quickly became part of a broader debate over election security in the United States. The surveillance videos, released by Gomes, circulated widely on right-wing social media platforms and far-right news outlets, with some using the incident as supposed proof of widespread election fraud. The case was cited as further justification for skepticism about ballot drop boxes, echoing unfounded claims made about the 2020 presidential election.
Vice Chair Geter-Pataky, a long-established Democratic figure in Bridgeport, declined to comment when approached outside the police barracks where she and the other defendants turned themselves in.
Legal Proceedings and Defendants’ Responses
All five suspects were released on non-bail promises to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on March 6. Geter-Pataky faces the most serious charges, including 42 counts of illegal possession of absentee ballots, two counts of fraudulent voting, and 22 counts of misrepresenting voter eligibility requirements.
Castillo, Pereira, Melendez, and the Stratford woman were arrested on similar but lesser charges.
Pereira, who supported Gomes, remained defiant as she left the police station, stating that she was confident she would win her case. Melendez’s attorney, Alexander Taubes, dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated, claiming his client was being targeted for political retribution.
Geter-Pataky’s lawyer, John R. Gulash, declined to comment on the charges. Castillo’s attorney, Frank Riccio II, stated that his client planned to plead not guilty. A lawyer for Pereira, Robert Frost, also declined to comment.
State Prosecutor: Case Will Serve as a Warning
Chief State’s Attorney Patrick Griffin stated that the arrests should serve as a warning against future election fraud. In a statement, he said these prosecutions should deter tampering with election results in Connecticut.
The Bridgeport fraud case marks the second time in recent years that Geter-Pataky and Castillo have been accused of manipulating absentee ballots. They were previously charged with similar violations in the 2019 mayoral election, in which Ganim narrowly defeated State Sen. Marilyn Moore by just 270 votes. That case is still pending in court.
Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim’s Controversial Political Career
Mayor Joe Ganim’s long and controversial political history adds another layer to the case. He was first elected mayor in 1991 and served for 12 years before resigning in disgrace after being convicted of racketeering, extortion, and bribery. He spent seven years in prison before making a political comeback, winning back his old job in 2015. He was reelected in 2019 and again in 2023, despite the ongoing election fraud allegations surrounding his campaigns.
