NEW: Gemma Accuses Cicilline of Voter Fraud
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Democratic Congressional candidate Anthony Gemma claimed Wednesday that he has uncovered rampant voter fraud dating back to incumbent Congressman David Cicilline’s first run for Mayor of Providence in 2002 all the way through his 2010 election to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Gemma commissioned TRP Associates, a private firm run by former State Troopers, to investigate Cicilline’s connection to voter fraud and claims the investigators found evidence that individuals were paid to vote multiple times, paid to impersonate actual voters, registered to vote at business addresses, abandoned buildings and vacant lots and driven in from out-of-state to vote at multiple polling places.
“In virtually each and every instance of voter fraud document by TRP, we find David Cicilline’s closest political operatives and allies – two of who are on his Congressional staff this very day, being by you and me with our taxpayer dollars – as they orchestrate and facilitate voter fraud-related criminal acts.”
Gemma refused to release the names of anyone who allegedly participated in voter fraud efforts. He also suggested that other elected officials were involved,
Cicilline campaign manager Eric Hyers fired back following the press conference, accusing Gemma of playing “irresponsible political games.”
"This was nothing more than another bizarre and outrageous political stunt,” Hyers said. “Mr. Gemma has not one shred of evidence that David has done anything wrong. Instead he produced nothing more than bizarre statements about witnesses holed up in attics with weapons and a state representative wearing disguises to vote at multiple locations. David believes that the people of Rhode Island deserve a real discussion of the serious issues we face, not more irresponsible political games from Anthony Gemma."
During his press conference, Gemma read parts of five sworn statements from individuals who claimed they were involved in voter fraud activities over the past decade.
In addition, current Ward 8 Councilmen Wilbur Jennings claimed he was the victim of voter fraud in 2006 and perennial State Rep. candidate Laura Perez claimed she witnessed underage voters being trained to commit voter fraud by a Cicilline ally.
“My election was torn apart by the Cicilline people,” Jennings told GoLocalProv. “I was a victim of the Cicilline administration.”
Jennings could produce no evidence that Cicilline actually participated in any coordinated fraud effort.
Gemma, who retained former Attorney General Jim O’Neil as a lawyer, said he met with State Police Superintendent Steven O’Donnell “as recently as yesterday.” He said he plans to fund the investigation even if he does not win the Sept. 11 Democratic primary or the general election in November.
“The only way to rid our local, state and national political lives of the corruption that David Cicilline and his ilk represent is to step forward and cast them out by casting your votes,” Gemma said.
Comments:
Todd B
4:30pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
“Mr. Gemma has not one shred of evidence that David has done anything wrong."--Cicilline's campaign.
"Gemma read parts of five sworn statements from individuals who claimed they were involved in voter fraud activities over the past decade."
I'd call five sworn statements submitted to law enforcement more than a shred of evidence. Given the visibility of this case, you can bet the people who signed those statements know they would be criminally charged with filing a false report to police if they're lying.
Law enforcement probably won't take action before the election but I don't see Cicilline surviving November.
All it's going to take is one enterprising reporter to corroborate Gemma's allegations and the fact that he had a former RI Attorney General next to him throughout the press conference makes me think Gemma is on solid ground.
Charles Drago
6:14pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
The key paragraphs from Gemma's presentation that link David Cicilline to a criminal enterprise:
"In virtually each and every instance of voter fraud documented by [the private investigators], we find David Cicilline’s closest political operatives and allies – two of whom are on his congressional staff this very day, being paid by you and me with our taxpayer dollars – as they orchestrate and facilitate voter fraud-related criminal acts.
"I reiterate: The common denominator in all of this criminality is the specter of David Cicilline.
"To my mind and, I’m certain, to yours, there are two – and only two – explanations for this.
"Either David Cicilline, beginning in 2002 and continuing to this day, knowingly has committed voter fraud on a massive scale, or David Cicilline is so incompetent a leader that he cannot recognize massive levels of criminality taking place before his very eyes. Either way, David Cicilline has shown himself to be unfit to serve in the Congress of the United States of America.
"That being noted, let me be absolutely clear: It strains credibility to the breaking point to accept that David Cicilline, the experienced and celebrated criminal lawyer who for years has touted his credentials as a reformer, could have remained ignorant of the criminal acts being perpetrated all around him, for his benefit, for a decade."
Gemma fired one of his guns, and it's smoking. Big time.
Joseph Davis
6:26pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
The claims Gemma made are outrageous. So much so that I am sure Cicilline has denied them.
Oh, he hasn't?
I would love to be a fly on the wall of Cicilline headquarters.
Fisher and Pacheco trying to find a way to spin this. And the perverted campaign manager worried that if Cicilline gets knocked out he won't be able to video any more young male Gemma interns.
robert phellps
6:30pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
criminal enterprise aka RICO ? that is quite the accusation..however, I am sure the man above must have his law degree to determine such.
anthony sionni
6:49pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
didnt cicilline already lie to the people!!! I dont trust him for anything!!
Good job gemma!!
Todd B
6:49pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
@Joseph Phelps: Notice that Cicilline's responses are very specific.
For example: "Mr. Gemma has not one shred of evidence that David has done anything wrong."
So technically speaking, his campaign doesn't deny that there may have been massive voter fraud. For that matter, his campaign doesn't even deny that Cicilline may have been aware of voter fraud. It simply says that David himself has not DONE anything wrong.
David Beagle
8:42pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Cicilline staffers probably go to great lengths to insulate Mr. Fabulous from the street level work going on during a campaign. Good thing Cicilline's name isn't Pinocchio.
marylou sexton
10:39pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Motor voter expanded the potential for fraud by allowing anyone who obtained a license to register to vote -whether they were eligible or not.
Who knows how many non-citizens have voted in elections across the country since MV was enacted.
The shut in ballot was always ripe for the taking.
Legions of candidates' workers fan out to the high rises and "assist" the voter-usually elderly or disabled- w/filling out his/her ballot.
Thousands of votes are influenced each election cycle-just in RI.
Gemma is clearly on to something.
There have always been allegations surrounding Cicilline's quest for political office and his first campaign for the GA was derailed by reports of thugs at the polls and voters who felt intimidated by these goons.
marylou sexton
10:41pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012
BTW Cicilline was interviewed on one of the TV stations and he was ever so calm.
Actually,in my opinion,he was too calm-as if he had taken a Xanax.
Hey,just my opinion.
Gary Trott
1:08am on Thursday, August 23, 2012
Looks like Chris Young was probably correct in saying that they had a list of dead people who were just held in reserve for a close election.