4 campaign workers accused of misusing absentee ballots in 2019 Bridgeport Democratic primary

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) – Four campaign workers from the 2019 Bridgeport Democratic mayoral primary were indicted Tuesday on election-related charges related to the misuse of absentee ballots.

The following campaign workers and the charges they face are listed below, according to the Division of Criminal Justice:

• Alfredo Castillo (52): Illegal possession of absentee ballots, Misrepresenting absentee ballot eligibility requirements, Failure to maintain an absentee ballot distribution list, Failure to sign as an assistant on an absentee ballot
• Wanda Geter-Pataky (67): illegal possession of absentee ballots, witness tampering, misrepresentation of absentee ballot requirements, failure to sign absentee ballot as an assistant
• Nilsa Heredia (61): Unlawful possession of absentee ballots, tampering with a witness, misrepresenting absentee ballot eligibility requirements, failure to maintain an absentee ballot distribution list, presence during the execution of an absentee ballot by an applicant for an absentee ballot
• Józefina Edmonds (62): Unlawful possession of absentee ballots, tampering with a witness, failure to maintain an absentee ballot distribution list, presence during the execution of an absentee ballot by a person applying for an absentee ballot

These allegations stem from allegations that absentee ballots were improperly used during the September 2019 Democratic primary for Bridgeport mayor.

Following the arrests, Mayor Joe Ganim released the following statement:

“We only learned from the media that people taking part in both mayoral primaries in 2019 were accused of violating election rules. We have not received any details beyond those contained in media reports.”

All four were released and are expected to appear in court on June 24.

This is a developing story. Stay with News 8 for updates.