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BOSTON (State House News Service) — Two Lawrence women, including a city councilor-elect, are facing fraudulent voting charges in Essex County amid an ongoing investigation.
District Attorney Paul Tucker late Wednesday announced that Lawrence District A Councilor-Elect Fidelina Santiago and a second defendant, Jennifer Lopez, were indicted by a grand jury on charges that Tucker's office said are "in connection with the November 2023 Lawrence election."
While details were not released, the prosecutor's office said that Santiago and Lopez were indicted on four counts each of illegal voting or attempt to vote, conspiracy to vote or attempt to vote illegally, unlawful interference with voter, and obstruction of voting.
Tucker's office said the charges stem from an investigation it conducted with State Police detectives following a referral by Secretary of State William Galvin's office of "allegations of fraudulent voting associated with the November 2023 local election." Galvin is the state's chief elections overseer.
"Interfering with an election not only undermines the legitimacy of government but erodes the public's confidence in the process. My office will vigorously prosecute individuals that threaten the integrity of elections," Tucker said in a statement.
The women will be arraigned "later," the DA's office said in a press release issued before 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Written by Michael P. Norton/SHNS
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