Election Fraud Cases

Alicia Dunbar and Ivan Dunbar

Alicia and Ivan Dunbar pleaded guilty to voting in another precinct for the 2003 East Chicago Democratic mayoral primary and were given one year of probation. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3y83Bkv

Mark Orosco

Mark Orosco pleaded guilty to voting in another precinct for the 2003 East Chicago Democratic mayoral primary and received a one year suspended sentence, one year of probation, and 100 hours of community service. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3f4rZfs

Mario Del Valle

Mario Del Valle pleaded guilty to voting in another precinct for the 2003 East Chicago elections. He was sentenced to one year of probation and 30 hours of community service. Fraud in the 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election for the mayoral race that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3rzE15u

Michael Harretos and Ezequiel Godinez

Michael Harretos and Ezequiel Godinez were sentenced to one year of probation, community service, and fines for voting in another precinct in the 2003 East Chicago election. Fraud in the 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election for the mayoral race that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3iWBE8K

Arthur Vera, Elvia Vera, Armando Vera, Pedro Moro, and Yolanda Ramirez

Arthur, Elvia, and Armando Vera, Pedro Moro, and Yolanda Ramirez, pleaded guilty to voting in another precinct during the 2003 East Chicago Democratic primary. Fraud in this 2003 primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election for the mayoral race that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3f4EZ4z

Jose Arroyo and Mabel Komendat

Jose Arroyo and Mabel Komendat were convicted of voting in another precinct after voting in an East Chicago election despite living in Hammond and Highland, respectively. They were both sentenced to one year probation and 50 hours of community service. Fraud in the 2003 East Chicago mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election for the mayoral race that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3i9HxR3

Levones Tolbert

East Chicago Councilman Levones Tolbert was charged with offering money in exchange for votes, among other offenses. Tolbert pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of unauthorized polling place entry and was sentenced to 30 days' probation. Fraud in the 2003 East Chicago primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election for the mayoral race that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/2Vf1wVg

Antonio and Alycia Mendiola

Antonio and Alycia Mendiola pleaded guilty to voting in a precinct where they did not live during the 2003 East Chicago Democratic mayoral primary. Both were sentenced to 18 months of probation. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/2TBzS4i

Eduardo Perez, Sr.

Eduardo Perez, Sr., pleaded guilty to fraudulently receiving an absentee ballot in connection to the 2003 East Chicago mayoral Democrat primary. He was sentenced to 18 months of probation. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3BLlMPc

Larry Battle

Larry Battle was convicted of voting in a precinct in which he did not live for the 2003 East Chicago mayoral Democratic primary election. Battle had a history of "crimes of dishonesty," prompting the judge--unpersuaded by Battle's "everybody was doing it" defense--to sentence him to two years in prison. Fraud in this 2003 mayoral primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3zENhbg

Tamika Lay

Tamika Lay pleaded guilty to voting in a precinct in which she did not live for the 2003 East Chicago Democratic primary. Though she initially called the errant vote a mistake, Lay eventually admitted that she wanted to cast a vote for her brother, Terrance Lay, who was a city council candidate for a different precinct. Lay was sentenced to one year of probation. At her sentencing hearing, she expressed frustration to the judge at being held accountable for her fraudulent act. She said, "People have been doing [fraudulently voting] for years, and all of a sudden they want to do something about it." Fraud in this 2003 primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election for the mayoral primary that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/3yakLOj

Demetreos Hasapis

Demetreos Hasapis, an East Chicago Fire Department captain, was convicted of voting outside the precinct in which he lived for the 2003 East Chicago Democratic primary. He was sentenced to a 60-day jail sentence in the Lake County jail and 60 days' probation. Fraud in this 2003 primary was widespread, and the Indiana Supreme Court ultimately overturned the election results and ordered a special election for the mayoral race that resulted in a different winner.

Source: https://herit.ag/370beO2

Dolores Croy

Dolores Croy pleaded guilty to voter fraud during the 2003 Democratic Primary in East Chicago, Indiana. She and her husband registered to vote and sent absentee ballots to the East Chicago voting district, using their business address. The couple's home address was actually in Hobart. Although both charges were Class D felonies, the charges were drastically reduced, and the couple only had to make a public apology and serve probation.

Source: https://herit.ag/3iOfTrM, https://herit.ag/3i5WG5C

Robert Croy

Robert Croy pleaded guilty to voter fraud during the 2003 Democratic Primary in East Chicago, Indiana. He and his wife registered to vote and sent absentee ballots to the East Chicago voting district, using their business address. The couple's home address was actually in Hobart, IN. Although both charges were class D felonies, the charges were drastically reduced and the couple only had to make a public apology and serve probation.

Source: https://herit.ag/3iOfTrM, https://herit.ag/3i5WG5C

Valerie McGowan

Valerie McGowan pleaded guilty to one felony count of "voting in other precinct" during the ultimately-overturned 2003 East Chicago Mayoral election. McGowan was involved in a massive fraud scheme, and ultimately the results of the election overturned. She initially faced other charges, including fraudulent application for a ballot and perjury, which were dropped as part of her plea agreement. McGowan was sentenced to 18 months of probation.

Source: https://herit.ag/3f4FbRl