Ex-Wisconsin election leader convicted for acquiring counterfeit mail-in ballots

Former Milwaukee ⁤Election Official Found Guilty in Absentee Ballot Scandal

Former Milwaukee election official Kimberly Zapata faced a jury trial and was found ⁣guilty on Wednesday for fabricating identities to obtain absentee ballots during the 2022 midterm elections.

Zapata, previously the deputy director of the ⁤Milwaukee Election Commission, ⁢unlawfully acquired ⁢three military absentee ballots using fake identities. These ballots were then sent to Republican state Rep. Janel Brandtjen, a vocal supporter of overturning the 2020 election results.

“She is‍ the most vocal election fraud ‌politician that I know of, and I thought that maybe this would make⁣ her stop and think and redirect her focus away from these outrageous ​conspiracy theories ⁤to something ‌that’s actually real,”

Zapata, who was terminated from her position in November 2022, justified her actions by stating⁣ that she​ used fake identities​ to ⁣avoid⁢ causing harm to ‍anyone. Brandtjen took legal action following Zapata’s dismissal​ to prevent the‌ counting of‌ military ballots in the state.

Controversy and ​Legal Ramifications

Brandtjen expressed her disappointment in Zapata’s approach, emphasizing that raising concerns about election processes could have‌ been done through proper ​channels without risking‌ one’s job and reputation.

Zapata’s defense attorney argued that she was acting as a whistleblower to highlight an issue and ensured the unused ballots would ​not⁣ affect the election. However, the Assistant District Attorney dismissed this argument, ​labeling Zapata’s actions​ as‍ election ​fraud.

“This was her deserting her duty to protect and secure our elections.”

Zapata admitted she hoped other⁢ election clerks would intercept the⁤ fraudulent ballot requests before reaching Brandtjen, but her plan did not ‍materialize.

The sentencing for Zapata is scheduled for ‍May 2, with potential repercussions of up to five⁤ years in prison on the ⁢horizon, according to ⁣the Associated Press.

For further ⁢details on⁣ this unfolding story, visit the Washington Examiner.

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