HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced Friday that seven individuals have been charged following an extensive investigation into falsified voter registration forms submitted across multiple counties ahead of the 2024 General Election.
According to the Office of Attorney General, six of the individuals worked as paid canvassers collecting voter registration applications, while a seventh — identified as Guillermo Sainz — served as a director overseeing voter registration drive operations in the state.
The investigation, which spanned Berks, Lancaster, and York counties, involved the review of several thousand registration forms that were turned in near Pennsylvania’s voter registration deadline. Election officials in those counties initially flagged numerous forms as potentially problematic, citing discrepancies or unverifiable information. Other forms were verified as legitimate and processed through standard election office procedures.
Investigators said a substantial number of the questionable forms were rejected because the provided information could not be matched to real individuals. However, officials emphasized that the irregularities did not result in any fraudulent ballots being cast or any election outcomes being affected.
Attorney General Sunday said the investigation found no evidence of political motivation or attempts to manipulate the outcome of any election. Instead, prosecutors allege that the defendants falsified forms to meet performance quotas and maintain employment.
“We are confident that the motive behind these crimes was personal financial gain, and not a conspiracy or organized effort to tip any election for any one candidate or party,” Sunday said. “Pennsylvanians should have peace of mind that the election process worked in this case. County election offices played a crucial role in protecting the integrity of our voter rolls, and we are grateful for their cooperation.”
Sainz has been charged with three counts of solicitation of registration, a violation of the Pennsylvania Election Code that prohibits offering financial incentives tied to registration numbers. The six canvassers — identified as Amos Clay, Joseph Jameson, Anya McCurdy, Meghan McDevitt, Richard Perez, and Samantha Szukiewicz — each face charges of unsworn falsification, tampering with public records, forgery, and two violations under the Pennsylvania Elections Code and Voter Registration Law. Szukiewicz also faces an additional charge of identity theft.
Charges were filed before Magisterial District Judge John Bender. The Attorney General’s Office has also offered assistance to Monroe County officials investigating similar allegations.
Officials stated that the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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