A prominent Democrat finds himself in hot water after allegedly orchestrating a fraudulent mail-in ballot scheme.

In a startling turn of events, a well-known Atlantic City Democrat and former city councilor, Craig Callaway, has been arrested for his alleged involvement in a sprawling abuse of New Jersey’s absentee ballot laws. According to authorities, Callaway stands accused of overseeing a fraudulent scheme aimed at manipulating the outcome of elections through the misuse of absentee ballots. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger emphasized the seriousness of the charges, stating, “Holding free and fair elections is a bedrock principle of our democracy.”

“Voter fraud at any level chips away at the faith people have in our system,” FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy remarked. The allegations against Callaway detail a scheme where organizers were paid to act as intermediaries, assisting voters with completing their absentee ballot applications. These individuals allegedly turned over blank absentee ballots to Callaway and his associates, despite lacking authorization from the voters.

Callaway, who already has a history of legal troubles including previous imprisonment for bribery, now faces up to five years in prison and a hefty fine. This latest scandal further tarnishes his reputation, following previous controversies such as orchestrating a prostitution bribery scheme against a fellow city councilor in 2006.

The recent arrest brings to light yet another instance of alleged election fraud within the Democratic Party. Just last December, an incoming Democratic city councilor in Lawrence, Massachusetts, was charged with raiding voters’ mailboxes in search of blank mail-in ballots. Secretary of State William Galvin assured swift action, stating, “We’ve had a history of sending people to jail when they commit crimes. That’s what we’ll do here.”

As investigations continue and legal proceedings unfold, the case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding the integrity of elections and holding accountable those who seek to undermine the democratic process.