Two Milwaukee Men Convicted of Voting as Felons

MILWAUKEE – Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today that two individuals charged with election fraud arising out of the November 4, 2008, Presidential Election entered guilty pleas admitting that they voted illegally while on an active period of felony supervision. David Lewis and Ramon Martinez were both charged by the Election Fraud Task Force, a collaborative effort between the Department of Justice, the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office and the Milwaukee Police Department.

Both Lewis and Martinez were convicted of one count of Voting by a Disqualified Person. Lewis was also charged with one count of Providing False Information to Election Officials. That count was dismissed as part of the plea agreement. By pleading guilty, Lewis admitted that he registered to vote at the polls on November 4, 2008, and then cast a ballot. Martinez admitted to also casting a ballot at the polls on November 4, 2008. At the time of the election, Lewis and Martinez were both on active periods of probation for felony convictions in Milwaukee County.

A felon on an active period of supervision for a felony offense is prohibited by state law from voting in any election.

Each individual charge carries a potential penalty of imprisonment up to 3 ½ years and a $10,000 fine. Sentencing for both is scheduled for November 9, 2010, at 1:30 p.m.

Prior to the November 2008 election, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm announced the creation of the Election Fraud Task Force, a multi-jurisdictional action team that evaluates, investigates and prosecutes complaints of electoral fraud. The Department of Justice and the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office work cooperatively with local law enforcement and the Milwaukee Police Department as needed when investigation is required.

Assistant Attorney General David W. Maas is representing the State.