January 22, 2007

Cuyahoga Election Officials on Trial

Cleveland Plain Dealer reported on January 18th:

Elections workers accused of mishandling ballots go on trial
1/18/2007, 2:18 a.m. ET
By M.R. KROPKO
The Associated Press

CLEVELAND (AP) — Three elections workers in the state's most populous county are set for trial on charges that they mishandled ballots during the 2004 presidential election recount.

Opening statements were scheduled to begin Thursday [January 18th].

Charged with six counts each of misconduct are Jacqueline Maiden, the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections' coordinator, who was the board's third-highest ranking employee when she was indicted last March; Rosie Grier, manager of the board's ballot department; and Kathleen Dreamer, an assistant manager.

The charges allege that Ohio laws were not followed in the selection and review of ballots for the recount. The most serious charges carry a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison.

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason removed himself from the investigation because his office represents the elections board. Erie County Prosecutor Kevin Baxter was appointed special prosecutor.

Complete article

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