Bridgeport City Councilman Alfredo Castillo has been referred to state prosecutors for potential criminal charges related to allegedly registering a non-U.S. citizen to vote in the city’s 2023 Democratic primary. The State Elections Enforcement Commission found enough evidence to recommend criminal charges after a three-month investigation.
The investigation stemmed from a complaint by Bridgeport resident Arianna Hernandez, a permanent legal resident who is not a U.S. citizen. She alleged Castillo convinced her to register to vote and helped her sign up for an absentee ballot, which he filled out on her behalf. Castillo was an outspoken supporter of Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim’s reelection campaign.
It is a crime in Connecticut to fraudulently register another person to vote or take possession of another person’s absentee ballot without legal authorization. Castillo’s attorney did not respond to requests for comment on the criminal referral.
Castillo has previously faced criminal charges for similar election-related crimes during the city’s 2019 Democratic primary. He was also referred for separate criminal charges for allegedly driving voters to polling locations and being present as they filled out their ballots in 2023.
The fallout from the 2023 Bridgeport primary, which was overturned due to absentee ballot fraud, led to the largest SEEC investigation in state history. Despite widespread allegations of election and voter fraud, no one has been charged or convicted for their actions during that election.
It is unclear how quickly state prosecutors will decide whether to charge Castillo as a result of the latest SEEC referral, but the case highlights ongoing concerns about election integrity in Bridgeport.
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Photo credit ctmirror.org
