DOTHAN, Ala. (AP) - A Dothan woman is going to jail for six months after being convicted of election fraud.
A Houston County judge imposed the sentence on 50-year-old Lesa Coleman during a hearing Wednesday.
The Dothan Eagle (https://bit.ly/1K4NQeF ) reports she must also pay a $250 fine.
Prosecutors say Coleman is responsible for illegal absentee ballots cast in a Dothan City Commission election in 2013. She was convicted on seven felony charges.
Coleman worked on the campaign of Amos Newsome, who beat a challenger by 14 votes. Newsome wasn’t charged.
The defense questions why officials counted the ballots if they were really illegal.
But a prosecutor asked the judge to send a message that election fraud won’t be tolerated.
Another woman previously pleaded guilty to similar charges, and two others await trial.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.