Guilty Plea in 2019 Bridgeport Ballot Case Could Spare Jail Time

A New Chapter in Election Fraud Cases

In Bridgeport, a relatively low-level player in the city's Democratic party became the first defendant charged criminally with absentee ballot fraud in connection with the recent mayoral primaries to take a plea deal. Josephine Edmonds appeared before Judge Tracy Lee Dayton in the Bridgeport Judicial District Courthouse, where she pleaded guilty to several charges including knowingly being present when a voter signed their ballot, illegal possession of an absentee ballot, failing to register as required with the town clerk, and tampering with a witness.

The plea deal in the case calls for a three-year suspended sentence when Edmonds, who is free on a promise to appear in court, returns for sentencing on September 25. The charges are punishable by a maximum penalty of up to 25 years in prison. This case highlights the growing scrutiny surrounding election integrity and the legal consequences of voter fraud.

Edmonds is among four people charged with election fraud related to absentee ballots in the 2019 election, which propelled incumbent Mayor Joe Ganim to victory over primary challenger Marilyn Moore, who won more votes cast on Election Day. Those charged include Wanda Geter-Pataky, deputy head of the city’s Democratic Town Committee, City Councilman Alfredo Castillo, who supported Ganim, and Edmonds, who supported Moore.

During the court proceedings, Deputy Chief State's Attorney Lisa D'Angelo described Edmonds, a Moore canvasser, as being present while several members of a Bridgeport family completed absentee ballots, then allegedly took the completed ballots from them, and failed to file necessary paperwork with the city's clerk. These actions constitute class D felonies punishable by up to five years in prison. In addition, Edmonds was charged with witness tampering, a class C felony punishable by up to 10 years, after investigators said she later went to the family's home and told a person “not to tell them she took their ballots.”

"You heard the state describe the facts," Dayton asked Edmonds. "Do you agree that they are basically correct?"
"Yes," Edmonds replied.

Outside the courtroom, her lawyer, Public Defender James Pastore, stated that Edmonds "was a minor player" in the case and is looking forward to putting the matter behind her. He expressed disappointment that the people directing the action were never investigated or arrested, adding that Edmonds' actions "did not directly affect the outcome of the election."

Additional Cases and Legal Developments

On the same day, Maria Pereira, a member of the City Council charged with absentee ballot fraud in connection with the 2023 election, appeared briefly before Dayton. She requested a new special public defender be appointed to represent her because her relationship with her current attorney had reached an impasse. The judge indicated she would grant the request but advised Pereira that if she wants a specific attorney, she should hire them herself. Pereira is scheduled to return to court on August 11 to meet with her new lawyer.

In May, Judge Dayton denied probation to Nilsa Heredia, another defendant charged in connection to the 2019 primary. The investigation began after a Hearst Connecticut Media report on voters allegedly pressured by Ganim campaign workers to vote for the mayor on their absentee ballots. After hearing testimony in a lawsuit filed in connection with the primary, Judge Barry Stevens stated that the plaintiffs had identified serious election law violations, but not enough to vacate the primary results.

Reactions from State Leaders

A pair of state leaders, Rep. Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, and Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco, R-Wolcott, the latter of whom is a ranking member of the legislature's Government Administration and Elections Committee, issued a statement late Wednesday that applauded the plea but questioned the sentence she is facing. They emphasized that Connecticut voters deserve elections they can trust. While welcoming Ms. Edmonds' guilty plea in the Bridgeport case, they expressed concern that a plea deal without jail time sends the wrong message about election crimes. They have consistently advocated for mandatory prison sentences for criminal election violations, stating that the people of this state deserve accountability. They hope prosecutors will use this plea agreement to build stronger cases against those who orchestrated this fraud, urging that individuals who have brazenly defied the democratic process must face real consequences.