Politics

Former Judge of elections charged with falsifying votes in multiple Philadelphia elections

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A former staffer for City Councilmember Mark Squilla was federally charged Wednesday with falsifying election results for years at a South Philadelphia ward where she served as a judge of elections.

Prosecutors said Beren and an unidentified “consultant” were involved in the voter fraud conspiracy. The complaint alleges the consultant “exercised influence and control in Philadelphia’s 39th Ward by distributing cash payments and supporting family, friends and allies for elective office in the 39th Ward, and installing Ward Leaders, Judges of Elections, and Democratic State Committee.”

Prosecutors said that around 1984, this consultant “installed” Beren to the committee for the Democratic Party in the 39th Ward of Philadelphia. In 1988, the consultant helped Beren become the judge of elections for the second district in the 39th Ward.

Prosecutors did not immediately provide details on the candidates for which Marie Beren, 67, allegedly falsified votes or say whether those ballots affected the outcome of any races. Court filings accuse her only of adding 10 to 15 fraudulent ballots per election. The allegations against her are tied to a larger case involving former U.S. Rep. Michael “Ozzie” Myers, who rose to prominence during the 1970s Abscam scandal and now works as a political consultant. He was also charged Wednesday with additional crimes linked to Beren’s case.

“Free and fair elections are the hallmark of our democracy,” Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer A. Williams said in a statement on the superseding indictment in Myers’ case. “As such, there is zero tolerance for corruption of the electoral process.”

ARTICLE: PAUL MURDOCH

MANAGING EDITOR: CARSON CHOATE

PHOTO CREDITS: WITF.ORG

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Paul Murdoch

Paul, 37, is from Scotland in the UK, but currently lives and works in Bangkok. Paul has worked in different industries such as telemarketing, retail, hospitality, farming, insurance, and teaching, where he works now. He teaches at an all-girls High School in Bangkok. “It’s a lot of work, but I love my job.” Paul has an active interest in politics. His reason for writing for FBA is to offer people the facts and allow them to make up their own minds. Whilst he believes opinion columns have their place, it is also important that people can have accurate news with no bias.

Paul, 37, is from Scotland in the UK, but currently lives and works in Bangkok. Paul has worked in different industries such as telemarketing, retail, hospitality, farming, insurance, and teaching, where he works now. He teaches at an all-girls High School in Bangkok. “It’s a lot of work, but I love my job.” Paul has an active interest in politics. His reason for writing for FBA is to offer people the facts and allow them to make up their own minds. Whilst he believes opinion columns have their place, it is also important that people can have accurate news with no bias.

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