Milwaukee Man Convicted and Sentenced for Election Fraud

MADISON — Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today that Michael Henderson, of Milwaukee, was convicted of election fraud arising out of the 2008 general Presidential election.  Henderson was convicted of Election Fraud – Providing False Information to Election Official, a Class I felony.  An additional count of Voting By Disqualified Person was dismissed against Henderson but read-in for the purposes of sentencing.

At sentencing, Henderson was ordered to serve 30 days in jail. He faced a maximum potential penalty of three and a half years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.  Judge Richard Sankovitz presided over the case.

These charges were brought by the Election Fraud Task Force.  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 evaluated, investigated and prosecuted complaints of electoral fraud.  The Department of Justice and the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office worked cooperatively with local law enforcement and the Milwaukee Police Department as needed when investigation was required.

Henderson admitted that he registered to vote at the polls on November 4, 2008, thereby certifying that he was a qualified elector.  He also admitted to casting a ballot.  At that time, Henderson was on an active period of probation for felony convictions.  A felon on an active period of supervision for a felony offense is prohibited by state law from voting in any election.

Assistant Attorney General David W. Maas represented the State in the prosecution of Michael Henderson.