HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - The arrest of a state lawmaker on election fraud charges underscores the strength of Connecticut’s system of election law enforcement, Secretary of State Denise Merrill said Saturday.
Bridgeport state Rep. Christina Ayala was arrested on 19 felony charges of voter fraud - eight counts of fraudulent voting, 10 counts of primary or enrollment violations and one count of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.
The arrest warrant alleges Ayla voted between 2009 and 2012 in various Bridgeport Democratic Town Committee elections, a municipal primary election and a state primary election in districts where she didn’t reside. The warrant also claims Ayala fabricated evidence about her address.
“While everyone is entitled to their day in court, voter fraud is a very serious crime for which we have zero tolerance,” Merrill said in a statement.
Still, Merrill said the high-profile arrest sends out a strong message to anyone who might be tempted to violate election laws.
“This arrest underscores the strength of our system in Connecticut for enforcing our election laws, from the State Elections Enforcement Commission to the Chief State’s Attorney’s office who investigate and prosecute these felonies,” Merrill said.
Ayala, 31, lost the Democratic primary for the 128th House District in August. Her term ends at the end of 2014.
Her attorney did not immediately return a call for comment on Saturday.
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