New Haven Independent

Posted by: robn | November 13, 2009 8:00 AM

WOW,

Spicey story. Its either fraud by the defeated candidate or fraud by an elected official. No two ways a bout it...there will be mud on somebody's fender at the ed of the day.

Posted by: Bruce | November 13, 2009 9:42 AM

That is an incredible number of absentee ballots.

Posted by: City Hall Watch | November 13, 2009 9:44 AM

Greg:
This is a waste of time. Who cares how close the vote was? You won. If Hopkins had a prayer of winning as a write-in, the only way to do it was to mount a rigorous absentee ballot initiative. Is that a hard strategy to understand? Unless you have more evidence, this sure seems petty, small and unimportant.

Posted by: Jay | November 13, 2009 10:42 AM

The allegations are very serious. Fraud is fraud, even if it doesn't change the outcome of an election. I'm glad this is being investigated. The more oversight of our election process, the better.
I wish the States' Attorney would look at these elections proactively, and supervise elections when there are anomalies like many absentee ballots. It is much harder to prove fraud after the election is over than it is to catch it as it occurs. The Bush-Gore election fiasco should have motivated this country to clean up our election process. I'm still waiting.

Posted by: The Professor | November 13, 2009 12:28 PM

I find it interesting that these comment boards are often littered with people expressing their strong disapproval of even the appearance of impropriety when a "pro-city hall" candidate is involved, yet those people seem to give "anti-city hall" candidates a free pass.

I guess fraud is okay if the perpetrator doesn't like the administration?

Posted by: Watcher | November 13, 2009 4:49 PM

... Seriously Greg give it up. You're just trying to create a sitution where you'll be the only person people will want to vote for by giving Lisa a bad rep. Talk about bad sportsmanship!

Posted by: Exiled Italian Shill | November 13, 2009 6:18 PM

44 to 107. Big jump. All it takes is a couple of depositions and someone is in hot water.

Need anyone be reminded of Hartford's former West Side State Representative? Really? Allow me, please.

_____________________________________________________________
Horton To Pay Hefty Fine; Ex-Lawmaker Signs Agreement
July 15, 2004
By OSHRAT CARMIEL, Courant Staff Writer

Barnaby Horton, a former Hartford state legislator accused of inducing elderly residents to cast absentee ballots for him, has agreed to pay one of the largest fines ever imposed by the state Elections Enforcement Commission.

Under a written agreement between Horton and the commission, Horton agreed to pay $10,000 and to not run for public office for two years. He also promised never again to solicit, distribute or assist with absentee ballots.

Though he signed the agreement with the commission, Horton specified that he did not concur with its findings - namely, that, as a candidate, he had gone from room to room at a home for low-income, elderly residents, circulating absentee ballots and encouraging tenants to check off his name.

The fine came as a Superior Court judge placed Horton on two years' probation and ordered him to perform 1,000 hours of community service for felony charges of ballot fraud.

The penalty and the probation resolve the civil and criminal charges that have been filed against Horton in connection with his failed 2002 race for re-election to the House.

Horton, 35, declined to comment on the specifics of the agreement with the elections commission and on the terms of his probation. He did say that the community service component of the probation was fair.

"Public service to me has been a deep public commitment," Horton said Wednesday. "I am happy to serve the public by my own choice or by the judge's order. I have been blessed with a second chance and I will not let the people of the state of Connecticut or the judge down."

Horton, now of West Hartford, will perform part of his community service at a Hartford soup kitchen and another part at a city high school, said his friend and former political adviser Shawn Fisher.

Fisher stressed that the $10,000 was not a penalty, but a negotiated settlement worked out between Horton and the commission as a way of finally putting the matter to rest.

"This is to say, `This is the end,'" Fisher said of the agreement with the commission, whose director he characterized as overzealous.

Horton's brush with the law began in 2002. A state representative in his second term, he was forced into an acrimonious primary battle against another incumbent, four-term Democratic state Rep. Kenneth Green, after redistricting merged Horton's and Green's legislative districts into a single 1st House District.

During that race, Green complained to the commission that Horton had personally collected absentee ballots from residents at the Betty Knox housing complex on Woodland Street - a violation of state elections law. After investigating the complaints, the commission found them to be valid.

Jeffrey B. Garfield, executive director of the Elections Enforcement Commission, said the $10,000 that Horton agreed to pay reflects the severity of the charges against him, and the seriousness with which the commission treats ballot fraud.

"Not only were the violations egregious, but Mr. Horton obviously was a lawmaker at the time," Garfield said. "He was a member of the government administration and elections committee, he had a particularized knowledge of absentee voting laws, and he, of course, was an attorney."

Garfield had said that Horton, as a state legislator, had been instrumental in toughening the state's absentee ballot laws, which he then violated.

The case also resulted in criminal charges. Last year Horton was criminally charged with seven felony counts of unlawful possession of another person's absentee ballot and three counts of being present, as a candidate, when absentee ballots were completed.

Horton's terms of probation are part of an accelerated rehabilitation program for first-time, nonviolent criminal offenders in which Horton is participating. Horton has never admitted to any wrongdoing, nor has he had to as part of his accelerated rehabilitation program.

Posted by: Willie D. Greene | November 13, 2009 7:02 PM

If fraud did take place in the election it is not something that anyone should condone. However given all the problems that Dixwell and the area neighborhoods are faced with I can see Alderman Morehead expending his time and energy addressing the much more pressing issues of the community.

Yes I realize it takes only a moment to file the complaint with the state but Alderman Morehead should take the high road and be about the business of building bridges and getting the Dixwell Community more involved in all that is taking place around them.

If a true and real agenda is not put forth by our elected leadership and the community many will find themselves on the outside looking in at community that we raised our families. Please understand when I say plans are being made regarding the development of Dixwell/Newhallville and there is no community representation at the table.

So Alderman Morehead as a friend I urge you to focus on the real issues at hand and see the Lisa Hopkins race as it is. It should be no more than a faint memory that will eventually fade away. Congratulations on your win.

Posted by: streever | November 13, 2009 8:08 PM

Greg, GO FOR IT. Love to talk to you sometime. I'll drop you an e-mail. This is an enthusiastic push to go after this.

Posted by: concerned citizen | November 14, 2009 12:49 AM

I find it interesting when comment boards are not littered with the disgusting expressions like Professor's. ... I wonder why the current administration got into 9th term and no fresh mind in this town gets the chance to give this city a new look. I wish the States' Attorney would look at these elections pro actively.

Posted by: Alan Felder | November 14, 2009 2:45 PM

Greg Morehead, you were manufacture from the New Haven political machine ...

Posted by: Neighbor | November 14, 2009 6:31 PM

I happen to know both candidates, Lisa Hopkins and Greg Morehead for a few years now since I am one of their neighbors. I respect both of them as my neighbor but I would have to say that I have seen Greg�s hostile and childish behavior a few years ago involving a city matter. He blamed Lisa back then that she was working in people�s heads, as if no one else has a brain of their own. I am also surprised that he spared Lisa and didn�t blame her for his delinquency in paying his auto property tax. Are these t... he is trying to ruin another candidate's reputation. Why is it just because Greg made an accusation all of a sudden it�s true? What happened to �innocent until proven guilty�? Furthermore, how on earth does this story make an ounce of sense? Ms. Williams says she gave a signed, unmarked, and unsealed ballot to Lisa? Why? Why would you do such a thing? How does that make any sense? If you don�t intend to vote for the candidate then why in the world would you give them the green light? That is if this incident actually occurred. Hello? We weren�t born yesterday that we can�t make sense of things. Really? You can�t possibly be that na�ve to believe such a ridiculous story. Give me a break! Why don�t we stop wasting time on throwing parties and making false accusations and do something productive in the neighborhood for once, unless of course that�s all we�re good for.

Posted by: David | November 15, 2009 1:32 PM

In response to neighbor's assertion that why would anyone ever hand over a simply signed absentee ballot, one might assume that Ms. Williams thought that she was genuinely about to receive help from Ms. Hopkins. Despite what we might think, people can be very trusting and unscrupulous individuals can take advantage of that trust.

I don't know what happened, but I know that a jump of absentee ballots like that just seems fishy. I also find Ms. Hopkins' quote in the article intriguing: not sure what it says about her as a candidate that she was apparently working harder than Mr. Morehead but failed to win for a 4th time.

Posted by: Neighbor | November 15, 2009 3:14 PM

David:As far as being "trusting", I think a grown woman should have had enough sense to know what she is signing and handing over to another individual, especially if she didn't know them. That's like handing a blank signed check over to a stranger. Would you be reckless enough to do that? Seriously we need to all grown up and use our brains instead of relying on others to think for us. If she was going to vote for Greg then maybe she should given her absentee ballot to him. And what type of help do you think she thought she was about to receive from Lisa that she couldn't have asked her oh so trustworthy Alderman Morehead for?
As far as the number of absentee ballots increase, don't you think it's possible that those ballots hadn't been counted yet? Why are we condemning Lisa before she's even been charged with something or further yet found to be guilty? Ever thought maybe this is just another ploy by Greg to defame Lisa? His winning might also have something to do with his support from the mayor and his cronies.

Posted by: The Professor | November 15, 2009 4:58 PM

Concerned Citizen,

What exactly do you find "disgusting" about my comment? Is it my disapproval of hypocrisy when I see it?

You say:
I wonder why the current administration got into 9th term and no fresh mind in this town gets the chance to give this city a new look. I wish the States' Attorney would look at these elections pro actively.

That pretty much floored me. Are you actually suggesting that the only thing keeping Ferrucci, Watley, and Sumner out of office this time around was fraud?

Posted by: Concerned Citizen | November 15, 2009 7:24 PM

What was disgusting about your comment was associating fraud with those whose may be against city hall. It might not be all of city hall but just a select few. I have had dealings with those in city hall and there are some people who just have their own agenda in mind and could careless what the voters need/want. Furthermore you said "littered" as if someone who expresses a negative opinion is just spewing garbage. No one is giving Lisa a free pass. If she did it then she should have to face the consequences. But that remains to be seen.

Concerning the other mayoral candidates: only 10% of voters came out to vote this year in the state of CT. For New Haven alone there were a little over 10,000. Do you know how large New Haven is? Why is it that the remaining residents of New Haven didn't come out? I wouldn't put fraud past this guy, but I don't think that is what happened. I think what happened is the other candidates did not campaign hard enough; some people have never even heard of the other candidates. Not to mention someone established (in office)in this city for this long will have much more power and control than any other little guy. In the beginning DeStefano really helped New Haven but after the gubernatorial run, it was apparent his own personal agendas took/take priority. Now he's just staying in the mayor's seat because no one else wants him. It's time for some new fresh people to help New Haven be as great as it can and should be.

Posted by: Alderman Greg Morehead | November 15, 2009 9:58 PM

Thanks for everyone sharing their opinions on this matter.
I do believe that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, but the facts don't lie. I just want to point out some things before another comment is posted. Some say that I am wrong for bringing this to light and some say I am right. That is your opinion. If anyone knows the history of Ward 22 and are in the midst of the election process etc every year(co-chair, and Alderman/Mayoral race), you would know that this type of fraud has been going on for some time. How can anyone in their right mind sit back and just keep quiet. In 2007, this same nonsense happened by one of my other opponents and when I tried to get the State to get involved, they just sat on their rear ends and didn't do anything. They said more than just a complaint, I needed a witness to come forward. It happened again for the co-chair race back in 08 and no one did anything. Now here we are in 09 and this same nonsense is happening again because people feel that they can get away with it. Ms. Williams was just one person that I mentioned in my complaint because she was willing to document this on paper. She was taken advantage of because of her age and the words that were used to entice her to hand her ballot over. This nonsense has to stop all over New Haven and that is why I wanted to bring this to light. Once one thing/person is investigated, other things will manifest and other people will be under the radar. Mark my words. This is not about me winning and trying to stop someone from running against me in the future; this same person ran against me 5 times, but to no avail. Its about the truth and justice. Residents have worked hard to have their vote counted, not taken away by someone who thinks about power and them only!!

Alderman Greg Morehead

BTW, 'Neighbor' if you have something to say, please say it to me face to face. I see you everyday! Don't use this comment board as a platform to badmouth me in front of an audience.

Posted by: David | November 15, 2009 11:56 PM

Neighbor,

It is clear to me from your post that you have no idea how this actually works. Allow me to enlighten you:

1) It is illegal for any candidate, or any other person other than an legal guardian or family member with power of attorney, to handle an absentee ballot of a voter. Asking Alderman Morehead to take the ballot would have been illegal.

2) The average voter doesn't know this and therefore might reasonably think that they could give their ballot to a candidate, trusting them to do the right thing. Absentee ballots should be reserved for voters who are out of town, or like many in Ward 22, are ill or elderly and cannot make it to the polls. Taking advantage of an elderly or ill person who may not understand how the process works is possibly what occurred here. Whether Ms. Hopkins increased her absentee ballot total by getting absentee ballots to individuals who could have made it to the polls is an entirely other issue.

3) All absentee ballots were counted at the end of Election Night on primary day and election day as per the law. So I have absolutely no idea what you are referring to in your question.

I have not idea what happened in Ward 22 and I hope that the state will investigate as they should. I just know that these are serious charges that you do not seem to understand the true nature of. I would guess from your moniker as "neighbor" that you know Lisa and I respect your choice as a candidate. But I think we can look at these issues dispassionately.

I hope she is cleared, as this would be a serious infraction that I would not wish on anyone. Good luck to her and I hope that Alderman Morehead remains focused on his duties on the Board.

Posted by: Anything for A Vote | November 16, 2009 10:55 AM

Alderman Morehead,

What is the difference between your opponent's "alleged" abuse of this lady, or yours. She is probably so confused by all this I would be surprised if her testimony was even considered by the state investigators. I'm tired of all you "well meaning" people taking advantage of these older people.

Posted by: The Professor | November 16, 2009 2:14 PM

Concerned Citizen,

When did I ever associate allegations of fraud exclusively with those who oppose the current administration? I don't believe I ever did that. What I did say is that there seems to be a double standard here--when someone associated with the administration finds him or herself in a situation that could in any way give even the appearance of impropriety, these comment boards fill up with allegations of corruption. When people who oppose City Hall are accused of corruption, the boards still fill up with people, but those people unfortunately still accuse City Hall of all sorts of malfeasance. It seems that some people only care about the appearance of impropriety when they have a chance to use it to attack their political rivals.

Anything for a Vote,

Perhaps Alderman Morehead will have a different answer for you, but I can't resist trying to answer your question. If the allegations made in the affidavit are true, the woman in question was effectively robbed of her vote. The difference between the two interactions with the elderly woman her is basically the difference between a purse snatcher and a person who helps catch the purse snatcher. The difference between someone who steals a vote and someone who brings the theft to light is a pretty big one if you ask me.

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | November 16, 2009 2:44 PM

Wake up people. Why keep beating this drum.What difference does it make. Politics is nothing more than a con game. Even if she got in, What change would you see. King john has control of most the board of alderman. And the one's that he can't control there have no power to stop him. You want fight for something, Again let us fight for term limits and proportional represention.

Posted by: City Hall Watch | November 17, 2009 7:34 AM

Greg:
You wrote a lot to say very little. It comes down to your last sentence which showcases your personal animus with Lisa Hopkins and you're angry you almost lost the election via a write-in candidacy. Your solution is to allege willful misconduct. That is troubling.

Professor:
It is not hypocrisy to call out City Hall for its misdeeds. Nobody is giving Hopkins a pass - I just don't believe it and if Greg wants to make an explosive allegation like "voter fraud" he ought to be able to back it up with a lot more than one confused voter and angry comments. It's lame.

Posted by: The Professor | November 17, 2009 11:42 AM

CHW,

It's hypocrisy when you take any and all criticism of City Hall at face value, then go on to say something like, "I just don't believe it and if Greg wants to make an explosive allegation like "voter fraud" he ought to be able to back it up with a lot more than one confused voter and angry comments."

For the record, it looks like Greg has a bit more than "one confused voter"--I'm no lawyer, but my impression is that having an affidavit from a voter is a pretty big deal, especially if there's some independent way to corroborate parts of it.

Posted by: City Hall Watch | November 17, 2009 3:28 PM

Professor:
Greg has a bit more than "one confused voter?" I don't see any reference to more voters. I only say confused because why would anybody sign a ballot and not mark a vote? Further, I don't take any and all criticism of City Hall at face value and frankly, I don't know anybody in my circle of friends and associates who do. Neither do I stick my head in the mud and pretend all is well. At this point in the information flow, Greg's single affadavit and allegations are enough to launch a state investigation. But until there is something more than what is presented here, I'll maintain this is much ado about nothing and Moorehead is wasting taxpayers' time and money in a vendetta that is more personal than substantive.

Posted by: Neighbor | November 17, 2009 6:34 PM

David: Thanks for your “enlightenment”.
If you say it was illegal to handle the ballot then Lisa would have known that and if she still did that, that’s disappointing. However, knowing her, I find it incredibly hard to believe she would resort to criminal activities just to win. But I still do not understand what “help” you think Ms. Williams was about to receive from Lisa. If she is elderly then after all her years of living don’t you think she would know how things work by now?
You say that “absentee ballots were counted at the end of Election Night on primary day and election day as per the law.” But then you talk about the big increase in them. So where do you suppose the other ballots came from and when were they counted? And if they weren’t counted with the others, then why were they counted after if it was apparently illegal?
You are right that this is serious but so far it is just an allegation/complaint. No charges have been filed yet, and I think it’s highly unlikely that there will be.

Greg: Exercising my right to free speech and expressing my opinion is not bad mouthing. And it’s my discretion where I do it or who I say it to. Just like you have the right to your opinion. Don’t be a hypocrite now when the opinion is not favorable to you. For the record, I have said it to “your face” before and I would do it again. I have already learned that you are incapable of getting anything done so there is no point in wasting time on that. I’m not going to start going back and forth with you. But you know what I find particularly amusing is the fact that you say you have witnessed/known about fraud before but why is it that this is the first time the public has been privy to it? As far as Ms. Williams willing to be the only person documented on paper, maybe you should think about why that is.
BTW: In your so-called five terms, that you won over Lisa, what are your achievements? Have you solved: parking problems on Ashmun and Frances Hunter where people leave their vehicles in front of resident’s driveways? The fact that you can’t even turn out of FHD without being in the middle of the road risking an accident? Property Tax increase? Snow thrown back into paths/driveways by plow trucks that had already been cleaned by residents? The ridiculously loud music coming from the park parties, which can be heard indoors and has decreased the value of our properties? Oh no that’s right you were busy getting Ludacris to come talk to school kids to tell them to be good. As if that will stop them from doing what they want to do. Anyways, good luck to you on your aldermanship. I’m sure you will throw many great peace disturbing parties next summer.

Posted by: Willie Williams Jr | December 9, 2009 8:16 PM

There Seems To Be A Problem, Someone Cannot Count.

www.connecticutblackevents.com