City Employee Faces Election Fraud Charges

State’s Attorney Richard A. Devine announced charges today against a Department of Streets and Sanitation ward superintendent, who allegedly targeted voters of the 50th ward, misled them to vote by absentee ballot and collected ballots.  In some cases, he marked ballots for voters and watched them cast their vote during both the February and April 2007 elections.

Anish Eapen, 37, 7505 N. California, 50th Ward Superintendent, with the Bureau of Streets and Sanitation is charged with 2 counts of Official Misconduct, a class 3 felony, 3 counts of Absentee Ballot Violations, a class 3 felony and 1 count of Mutilation of Election materials, a class 4 felony.  If convicted, Eapen faces up to 5 years in prison.

Also charged was Armando Ramos, 34, 6419 N. Fairfield, with 2 counts of Absentee Ballot Violations,
and 2 counts of Mutilation of Election Materials.  If convicted, Ramos faces up to 5 years in prison.

A joint investigation with the city’s Inspector General’s office revealed that during the several weeks preceding both the Feb. 27 election and April 17 aldermanic runoff election, Eapen and Ramos visited the homes of numerous registered voters in the 50th Ward and solicited them to apply for an absentee ballot to vote in either or both elections.   Both Eapen and Ramos falsely told voters that they could obtain an absentee ballot and vote this way based on reasons such as cold weather, or simply because it was easier than voting in person. 

After voters received the absentee ballots from the Chicago Board of Elections, Eapen and Ramos would return to their homes, take the ballot and return envelope from the voter’s home. Ballots must be mailed by the voter or cast in person, according to the Illinois Election Code.  In some cases, either Eapen or Ramos would be in the same room when while voters cast their ballots.  On different occasions, both Eapen and Ramos marked a ballot for a voter and placed that ballot into the return envelope and removed both the ballot and envelope from the voter’s residence. 

“The right to vote is critical part of democratic process,” said Devine.  “To take advantage of people who want to be a part of the process and to abuse power is inexcusable.”

Both Eapen and Ramos appeared today before Judge Maura Slattery Boyle.   Bail was set at $50,000 for Eapen and $40,000 for Ramos. The next court date is February 19, 2008, Branch 98 at 11:00 a.m.

On Election Day, next week, the State’s Attorney’s Office will tour polling places and respond to complaints of election fraud.  Additionally, the State’s Attorney’s Office will monitor absentee voting at nursing homes on Friday, Saturday, and Monday.   If you suspect fraud on Election Day, contact the State’s Attorney’s Office at 312-603-7960.

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