Voter Fraud Scandal Rocks Queens City Council Campaign
Six campaign volunteers, including the daughter of a Queens City Council candidate, have been charged with voter fraud for allegedly submitting false absentee ballots in an attempt to sway the congressional race in Queens’ 20th District.
Conspiracy to Rig the Election
The suspects, including the candidate’s 19-year-old daughter Sydnee Pai, were accused of a conspiracy to submit fraudulent absentee ballot applications to boost the Pai campaign. These actions aimed to undermine the integrity of the election process and disenfranchise the people of Queens County.
Investigation and Charges
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz highlighted the importance of upholding the integrity of the polls and ensuring that voter fraud does not compromise democracy. The investigation began after a voter reported losing the opportunity to vote, leading to the discovery of 23 fraudulent absentee ballot applications submitted on behalf of voters who had not authorized them.
During the arraignment in Queens Criminal Court, Queens Assistant District Attorney Gabriella Giunta detailed the long-running investigation that uncovered the absentee ballot fraud scheme orchestrated by the defendants. The accused individuals, including Li Zhenwan, Yee Ping Yam, Lisbeth Cheng, and Crystal You, were found to have played a role in the fraudulent scheme.
Similar cases in the past, like Abdulrahman’s arraignment in 2023 for submitting false absentee ballot applications during the 2022 Democratic primary, serve as reminders of the importance of safeguarding the electoral process from fraudulent activities.
