CHARLESTON – A pair of Lincoln County officials have been charged with felonies in connection with a 2010 primary election fraud scheme. U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announced that Lincoln County Sheriff Jerry Bowman, 58, and Lincoln County Clerk Donald C. Whitten, 62, have agreed to plead guilty to the charges.
http://liarcatchers.com/fraud_investigation.html
Goodwin said Sheriff Bowman admitted to falsifying more than 100 absentee ballot applications for voters who did not have any legal basis to vote absentee. According to a press release from Sheriff Bowman then went to many of those voters’ homes and was in the room with them while they voted, telling them which candidates he backed. In at least six cases, Sheriff Bowman himself marked voters’ absentee ballots.
Whitten has admitted to initially obstructing the investigation by lying about his role in the scheme. He has agreed to plead guilty to making a false statement.
Bowman faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Whitten faces up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Goodwin stated, “A citizen’s right to vote is at the very foundation of our constitutional democracy. When that vote is hijacked, especially by those who have sworn to protect and defend our Constitution, the persons responsible must be brought to justice.”
“The West Virginia Secretary of State’s office should be commended for its invaluable work in this investigation,” Goodwin continued. “Secretary Tennant’s staff has worked handing hand with the FBI to bring these individuals to justice.”
The investigation was conducted by investigator Jim Wise of the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Counsel to the United States Attorney Steven Ruby and Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Ryan are leading the prosecution
