Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: FJB who wrote (597931)	1/30/2011 11:47:26 AM
From: FJB	Respond to of 1583412

Two Democrats indicted in Troy ballot scam case LoPorto, McDonough plead not guilty to allegations of forging Working Families Party absentee ballots By Kenneth C. Crowe Ii And BOB GARDINIER Staff Writers Updated:11:35 p.m., Friday, January 28, 2011 TROY -- A Rensselaer County grand jury indicted City Councilman Michael LoPorto and county Democratic Elections Commissioner Edward G. McDonough for forging and possessing absentee ballots in the 2009 city Working Families Party primary. The two Democrats pleaded not guilty Friday to dozens of felony counts of second-degree forgery and second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument. LoPorto and McDonough were handcuffed when state troopers escorted them into the courtroom for their arraignments. The indictments were handed up to state Supreme Court Justice George J. Pulver Jr. of Greene County at the Rensselaer County Court House. McDonough faces 38 counts of forgery and 36 counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument. LoPorto faces 13 counts of forgery and 29 counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument. "This indictment accuses Mr. McDonough and Mr. LoPorto of criminal acts which contributed to the misappropriation of the voting rights of 50 citizens of Rensselaer County," Special Prosecutor Trey Smith said. Investigators scrutinized seven other Democrats but charges were only filed against LoPorto and McDonough. Smith would not discuss the possibility of charges against others but said the investigation is continuing, The grand jury assigned to the case ended its work Friday. Another grand jury could hear testimony if Smith moves forward against the others. LoPorto and McDonough were released without bail after their brief court appearance. "Mr. LoPorto entered a plea of not guilty this morning, ending the first phase of this case that played out in the media," said Michael Feit, LoPorto's attorney. "Now we will go to the second part of the case before the court where the facts will come out." A grinning LoPorto, 58, stood at Feit's side but did not speak. McDonough, 47, and his attorney, Brian Premo, left the courthouse through a back door. Smith said the defendants could serve a maximum of 10 to 20 years each if convicted and sentenced consecutively on the charges. Contacted later, Premo said, "Mr. McDonough committed no crime." Persidia Sanchez, whose absentee ballot application was allegedly forged, said she was "very, very glad" that the grand jury returned the indictments. The pending court case is not expected to immediately impact LoPorto's role on the City Council and McDonough's work at the county Board of Elections. "I have discussed the issue involving the Democratic elections commissioner with the minority leader, and we will continue to monitor the situation and ensure the Board of Elections operates smoothly," said County Legislature Chairman Martin Reid, R-Sand Lake. "How it's going to affect the city, I don't know. It's been going on so long people have become tone deaf to it," said Councilman Bill Dunne, a Democrat. Republican Councilman Mark McGrath said he would ask the state Attorney General's Office to check on LoPorto's status as a councilman since his address was listed in Brunswick by the State Police instead of in Troy. "It's a black eye to the entire city of Troy," McGrath said regarding the indictments. County Democratic Chairman Thomas Wade pointed out that in the 2009 elections, when the absentee ballot scandal became public, Democrats took seven of nine City Council seats and unseated five city Republicans on the County Legislature. "People in Troy are accustomed to knowing their neighbors and the quality of care the Democratic party produces. I have confidence in Troy voters," Wade said about the city elections this year. The State Police investigation was carried out over the last two years. The men are accused of systematically forging signatures on absentee ballots at either the county office building or somewhere in the city during the buildup to the Sept. 15, 2009 Working Families Party primary. Many of the questionable ballots were filed under the names of students and some of the city's poorest residents, many who live in Troy Housing Authority apartments. Continues... Read more: timesunion.com