New York Democrats - Voter Fraud is 'A Normal Political Tactic'

As the city of Troy, NY, awaits jury selection in the first trial involving two Democrats and their alleged roles in a "massive"voter fraud scheme, new details have emerged from the investigation.  Details involving two other veteran political operatives that have already pleaded guilty. 

According to a recent Fox News report, Anthony Renna, a Democrat guilty of second-degree forgery, and Anthony DeFiglio, a Democrat guilty of first-degree falsifying business records, are trying to drag all local politicians, regardless of party affiliation, down with the ship.  

Thus far, eight people have been charged in connection with the ballot fraud investigation, four of which have pleaded guilty.

Reports emerging from the investigation indicate that the Democrats are trying to implicate Republicans of the same conduct they have been charged with.  According to the state police, Renna and DeFiglio both claimed that, "voter fraud is an accepted way of winning elections, and faking absentee ballots was commonplace."

Renna explained that the process of handing in forged ballots and fake votes ensures that "ballots are voted correctly."  He adds, "'Voted correctly' is a term used for a forged application or ballot."

DeFiglio added that such fraud is actually "an ongoing scheme and it occurs on both sides of the aisle.  What appears as a huge conspiracy to nonpolitical persons is really a normal political tactic."

Local Republicans, presumably the party being referred to on the other side of the aisle, are vehemently denying that ballot fraud was,or is, a normal political tactic.

James Gordon, Chairman of the Troy Republican Committee said, having been a part of the election process for a number of years that he has, "never heard or seen anything resembling these actions."

He added, "In fact, after the Democrats were caught in 2009 the records at the Board of Elections were searched.  More cases of fraud were found dating back to 2007 or 2008, all attributed to Democrat candidates and operatives.  Nothing from any GOP members."

One particular case involved former Troy City Clerk, William McInerney, who resigned from his position after being implicated for falsifying absentee ballots dating back to 2007, the year he helped Democrats seize control of the Council.

Recent Troy Mayoral candidate and former Troy City Councilmember, Carmella Mantello, also denied that these election tactics were ever commonplace in the GOP.

"This 'practice' was never part of the electoral process."

With eight Democrats facing charges in the investigation, Gordon sums up the situation by saying, "Democrats wanted to win and it appears at any cost."

"This was greed, ignorance, lack of ethics, and laziness.  Bad people doing bad things."

Photo Credit:  Times Union