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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2006
Vote Fraud Catches Up to 8 for Acts in ’03 Primary Election
Joint Vote Fraud Task Force charges those with ties to the City of East Chicago
HOBART, IN – The Lake County Vote Fraud Task Force has issued arrest warrants and has filed 9 felony charges against 8 more people linked to voter fraud in the 2003 Lake County primary elections. The individuals involved include two East Chicago Fire Department captains, a former East Chicago policeman, and other East Chicago municipal employees.
Today’s action brings the total number of individuals charged for fraud by the Task Force to 53 since it was convened two years ago.
“Each and every charge in this investigation is important to the entire picture of vote fraud that has occurred,” Attorney General Steve Carter said. “This Task Force is working to bring honesty and integrity to Lake County elections, and we continue to investigate every lead that will help us accomplish this goal.”
Lake County Prosecutor Bernard A. Carter added,
"We are continuing our investigative efforts," Lake County Prosecutor Bernard A. Carter said. "We welcome contact from any citizens who have information pertaining to allegations of vote fraud."
The Indiana State Police is leading the investigation and filed the arrest warrants this week.
“The public has a vested interest in the voting process and has the right to believe it is free of corruption and fraudulent influence,” added Dr. Paul Whitesell, Superintendent of the state police. “The public has an absolute right to have confidence in the voting process. To that end the Indiana State Police will pursue and investigate fully all allegations of voter fraud.”
The specific charging information is:
Ricardo Alamillo – 35, Hammond, IN. Charged with one D Felony: Voting in Other Precinct.
Ezequiel Godinez – 53, Merrillville, IN. Charged with one D Felony. Voting in Other Precinct.
Michael Harretos – 63, Schererville, IN. Charged with one D Felony. Voting in Other Precinct.
Demetreos A. Hasapis – 43, Munster, IN. Charged with one D Felony. Voting in Other Precinct.
Ronald W. Komendat – 53, Highland, IN. Charged with one D Felony. Voting in Other Precinct.
Mabel Komendat – 44, Highland, IN. Charged with two D Felonies. Voting in Other Precinct (’03 & ’04 elections)
Joseph R. Pedraza – 63, St. John, IN. Charged with one D Felony. Voting in Other Precinct.
Constance D. Simmons-Pedraza – 52, St. John, IN. Charged with one D Felony. Voting in Other Precinct.
The fire department captains are Demetreos Hasapis and Joseph Pedraza, who is also a fire department mechanic. The former police officer is Ronald Komendat.
The other municipal employees charged are Ezequiel Godinez (former electrical maintenance supervisor), Michael Harretos (former filtration plant manager), and Constance Pedraza (paraprofessional with the school city). Also charged is Ricardo Alamillo, a former assistant bailiff.
These charges raise the total number of individuals charged for vote fraud in the 2003 primary elections in Lake County to 53. The total number of felony charges filed is now more than 220. Seven people have been convicted and one other is awaiting sentencing. Thirty-seven others, including police officers are awaiting trial.
There are five trials scheduled for the remainder of 2006:
Florentino Guillen October 16, 2006
Elvia Vera October 30, 2006
Pedro Moro November 13, 2006
Robert “Bosko” Grkinich December 4, 2006
Brian Berkman December 18, 2006
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