An ex-U.S. Representative was sentenced to more than two years in prison last week for election fraud intended to help Democrat candidates. A former U.S. Congressman was sentenced last week to more than two decades in prison for election fraud to aid Democratic candidates.
The former Rep. Michael “Ozzie”, 79, from Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, bribery, and obstruction of justice. He also falsified voting records and conspired to illegally cast a ballot in a federal election.
United States District Court Judge Paul S. Diamond sentenced Myers to 30 months imprisonment with three years of supervision for his crimes. He also ordered Myers to pay $100,000 in fines with $10,000 due immediately.
Fox News reported that Myers spent four years in the U.S. House from 1976 to 1980. However, he was expelled and sent to prison for three more years after being convicted of bribery.
The DOJ stated that Myers had admitted to in court that he bribed a Judge of Elections into adding votes illegally for candidates from their mutual political parties in primary elections. This fraud scheme lasted many years. The DOJ also stated that Myers had admitted to conspiring with another former Judge to commit election fraud.
Myers demanded money from candidates who were his clients and used some of the money to bribe officials.
“Voting is the foundation of democracy. U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero stated that even one illegal vote or compromise in the integrity of one election official can undermine faith in the process. “This defendant used his position and knowledge of the process as well as his connections to fix elections for his preferred candidate, which shows a flagrant disregard for laws that govern our elections. As a punishment for his crimes, he will spend 30 months in prison.
Jacqueline Maguire is Special Agent in Charge for the FBI’s Philadelphia Division. She stated that “Protecting elections’ legitimacy is crucial to ensuring the public’s trust in them.” Ozzie Myers’ actions disregarded both the will and rule of law by discrediting the will of Philadelphia voters. He is now a federal felon twice more and will be returning to prison with the time to contemplate the terrible consequences of free and fair elections.
