Congressional candidate Gemma alleges voter fraud linked to U.S. Rep. Cicilline

August 22, 2012 2:22 pm
By News staff

Providence Journal / Mary Murphy

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Congressional candidate Anthony Gemma alleged Wednesday that a private investigation has uncovered voter fraud linked to U.S. Rep. David N. Cicilline, his opponent in the upcoming September primary.
Gemma contends an investigation he initiated by retired state troopers found evidence of people being paid to vote for certain candidates, people voting multiple times at different voting places and people who impersonated other voters.


Speaking at an outdoor press conference near his headquarters, Gemma called Cicilline the "common denominator" through most of the evidence, some of which dates to 2002.

The findings, Gemma said, are not "run-of-the-mill dirty politics" or "gossip, but evidence of conduct that compromises the very core of our electoral process."

Cicilline's campaign characterized Gemma's allegations as an "outrageous political stunt" with "not one shred of evidence."
Gemma "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," Cicilline campaign manager Eric Hyers said in an emailed statement. "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."
Gemma's conclusions were based on information from witnesses who said they were involved in the Cicilline campaign, Gemma said. He read statements from those witnesses, but he did not identify them. He said the statements were given under oath.
Gemma says he has met with the head of the state police Col. Steven G. O'Donnell to discuss the evidence. Gemma said he also turned over information to the FBI.
Neither O'Donnell nor any other members of the state police were at the press conference.
Reached by telephone after it, O'Donnell said, "The credibility of the state police is the most important thing that we've got. Due to the sensitivity of the allegations, coupled with the timing, it would be unfair and inapppropriate for the state police to comment on our involvement or non-involvement."
The U.S. Attorneys Office in Providence wouldn't comment on whether they had a representative at the press conference, wouldn't confirm or deny whether they are investigating the allegations and wouldn't comment on whether the allegations were brought to their attention before today's news conference.
Republican candidate Brendan Doherty, former superintendent of the state police, released a statement Wednesday afternoon saying he is "greatly troubled" by the allegations. He expressed confidence that law enforcement officials would conduct "a thorough and competent investigation."
"Given the nature of these allegations and the fact that they involve a sitting Congressman, Rhode Islanders deserve an immediate, clear and truthful response from their elected representative," Doherty said. "Regardless of the final outcome, these allegations cast a cloud of suspicion over the electoral process. I am running for Congress to replace this cloud with a proven model of leadership, honesty and integrity."
Last week Gemma announced the press conference and said the investigation had found "potential criminal actions" and has "attracted the attention of federal authorities."
As of about 11:35 a.m., the event outside Gemma campaign headquarters on the corner of Broad Street had the air of a block party. A side street had been blocked off. About two dozen chairs were set up for the press before a podium with about 10 microphones. Two to three dozen spectators were milling around, waiting for the news. Some were Gemma campaign workers. They're wearing white T-shirts with Gemma written across the front.
James E. O'Neil, former attorney general, was among those in the crowd. He confirmed he's working for Gemma, not his campaign, but Gemma personally. O'Neil said he was serving as a liaision between Gemma and the law-enforcement community. He said he's reviewed the material turned up by the investigation and believes it has credence but requires further investigation.
Gemma is running against Cicilline in the Sept. 11 Democratic primary.
Gemma's campaign has confirmed that the detective agency it hired to look into voter fraud was TRP Associates, which is operated by three retired Rhode Island state police troopers.

Congressional candidate Gemma alleges voter fraud linked to U.S. Rep. Cicilline | Politics | providencejournal.com | The Providence Journal

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