California officials charge three over alleged election fraud scheme

Law enforcement on Thursday arrested James Brass, 47, of Victorville, Calif., on federal charges related to an alleged election fraud scheme. Brass is accused of paying people in Los Angeles’ Skid Row area to sign petitions for ballot initiatives, which must receive a certain number of signatures to qualify for California elections. The people were allegedly instructed to sign using identities stolen from registered voters, according to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli.

Officials charged Brass and two others who worked for him with one count of conspiracy to commit identity fraud in furtherance of a state felony, according to Essayli. Brass and one of the other defendants, Courtney Price of Jacksonville, Fla., also each face an additional charge of identity fraud in furtherance of a state felony.

The investigation that led to the arrests appeared to be prompted by an undercover video from independent journalist James O’Keefe. O’Keefe in March posted the video, which appeared to show people instructing individuals in Skid Row to sign ballot petitions using the names and addresses of others. People were paid about $3 for each time they did so, according to the video. The video also showed O’Keefe’s team speaking to one of the real registered voters, who said he had no idea his name and address were used for the petition.

Dig deeper: Read Christina Grube’s report on increased federal oversight of recent primary elections in New Hampshire.