NC Democrats release statement on McHenry-Lay Voter Fraud Scandal

Please see this important post: An interesting take on Lay, the facts as I know them and a ‘mea culpa’

According to the North Carolina Democratic Party, the Gaston County District Attorney in charge of investigating the McHenry-Lay Voter Fraud Scandal should “broaden” the investigation:

Gaston County District Attorney Locke Bell should broaden his investigation of voter fraud in connection with Republican Congressman Patrick McHenry’s campaign, said NCDP Chair Jerry Meek on Thursday.

Reports have surfaced in recent months that McHenry had as many as six out-of-state residents living in his home who were not eligible to vote in North Carolina.

McHenry’s field director, Michael Aaron Lay, was indicted last week by a Gaston County grand jury on charges of felony voter fraud. Lay is accused of voting twice in elections last year in a district where he wasn’t a permanent resident. [CBS News, 5/11/07]

Voter records also indicate that another campaign worker, Neil Capano, is listed as living in the same Cherryville residence as McHenry with an active voter status. [NC Board of Elections website: http://www.sboe.state.nc.us]

But Federal Election Commission reports revealed that Capano received monthly paychecks to a New Hampshire address. [Federal Elections Commission, McHenry for Congress, Second Quarter 2004]

It is illegal to claim residency if a relocation is temporary and there’s no intent to make the area a “permanent place of abode”. [Charlotte Observer, 5/13/07]

Capano has no voter history in North Carolina.

Lay was also listed as a resident in McHenry’s home. But he received paychecks to an address in Tennessee. McHenry narrowly won the primary by only 86 votes. [CBS News, 5/11/07]

Jerry Meek, Chairman of the North Carolina Democratic Party (pictured right) said, “Every effort should be made to ensure that all allegations of voter fraud are investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Voters are entitled to clean elections. The last concern voters should have at the polls is about whether their own congressman will deceive them.”

More:

The McHenry-Lay Voter Fraud Scandal:

• Patrick McHenry spokesman, attack-dog Jason Deans is ’seasoned criminal,’ new watchdog site says
• McHenry: “Worst Person in the World”
• Patrick McHenry & his lollipop like their young pals, especially when they’re drunk

Technorati Tags: North Carolina Democratic Party, Jerry Meek, Patrick McHenry, Michael Aaron Lay, Jason Jent Dean, Matthew Allen Hamilton, voter fraud, gay, gay Republicans, Congress, NC-10, Cherryville, Gaston County, North Carolina

Posted in Anti-Gay Politicians Watch |