Former Congressman Sentenced, Heading to Prison
(UnitedVoice.com) – Election integrity has been at the forefront of conversations in the wake of the 2020 election after multiple allegations of voter fraud were made across the country. Prior to that race, a man who had once sworn an oath to defend the Constitution was embroiled in a plot that completely undermined the integrity of the Republic.
In July 2020, the Department of Justice charged former Democratic Rep. Michael “Ozzie” Myers (D-PA) with conspiring to violate voting rights. The congressman was allegedly involved in election rigging schemes in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Two years after his arrest, the former lawmaker received a sentence.
The Crimes
According to a 2020 DOJ press release, Myers allegedly bribed Domenick J. Demuro, judge of elections for a division in South Philadelphia. The judge was responsible for overseeing both federal and state elections in the 36th Division. Demuro illegally added votes to the totals for specific primary candidates in the Democratic races.
The candidates who Myers conspired to make the Democratic nominees were running in a variety of federal, local, and state elections, including judicial races, and had hired him to perform other duties. The former congressman would reportedly ask for payments from his clients and then use the money, ranging between $300 and $5,000, to pay people to commit election fraud.
Demuro not only stuffed the ballots but later certified the elections. The entire process was tainted from start to finish as a result. The judge pleaded guilty to charges related to the scheme.
Guilty Plea and Sentencing
In June 2022, 79-year-old Myers pleaded guilty to bribery, conspiracy to deprive voters of civil rights, obstruction of justice, conspiring to illegally vote in a federal election, and falsification of voting records. The former congressman admitted that he bribed Demuro to stuff the ballot boxes and certify the elections.
Myers also admitted that he conspired to commit election fraud with Judge Marie Beren, who oversaw the 39th Ward, 2nd Division and who was not mentioned in the 2020 DOJ announcement. According to the ex-congressman, he would meet with Beren almost every election day and tell the judge which candidates should receive the votes.
Beren later pleaded guilty to charges related to the scheme.
The Department of Justice announced on September 27 that Myers received a sentence of 30 months in prison, a fine of $100,000, and three years of supervised release. In the press release, US Attorney Jacqueline Romero said, “Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy.” She pointed out that if just one vote has been cast illegally, it “diminishes faith in [the] process.”
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