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Former Plainfield Mayoral Candidate Charged with Voter Fraud: Nearly 1,000 Fraudulent Registrations Unearthed
Dr. Henrilynn Ibezim faces multiple criminal charges after an investigation reveals an attempt to mail a bag of bogus voter registrations to Union County officials.
Morristown, NJ - Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced today that Dr. Henrilynn Ibezim, a 68-year-old former candidate for the mayorship of Plainfield, NJ, has been criminally charged. The charges include election fraud and tampering with public records, among others, in an alleged scheme involving hundreds of fraudulent voter registration applications.
The charges stem from a meticulous investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability’s (OPIA) Corruption Bureau. Ibezim is accused of directing a group of associates and campaign volunteers to fill out blank voter registration applications based on forms he provided. He allegedly brought a garbage bag containing 954 fraudulent applications to the U.S. Post Office on North Broad Street in Elizabeth, NJ, intending to mail them to Union County election officials.
Who's Involved and What Are the Charges?
Dr. Henrilynn Ibezim faces a slew of charges, including:
- Election fraud (2nd degree)
- Criminal attempt to commit false registration or transfer (3rd degree)
- Tampering with public records (3rd degree)
- Falsifying or tampering with records (4th degree)
- Forgery (3rd degree)
- Hindering apprehension or prosecution (3rd degree)
Deputy Attorney General Eric Cohen prosecutes the case, supervised by OPIA higher-ups such as Bureau Deputy Chief Jeffrey J. Manis and OPIA Director Thomas Eicher.
When and Where Did This Happen?
The alleged incident occurred on May 18, 2021, when Ibezim was reportedly seen with a bag of fraudulent voter registration applications at the U.S. Post Office on North Broad Street in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
"Attempting to tamper with an election result through fraud impairs the ability of legitimate voters to choose their representatives, a cornerstone of American democracy," said Attorney General Platkin. "It also undermines the legitimacy of government and the public’s confidence in their elected officials and in elections generally."
Thomas J. Eicher, Executive Director of OPIA, added that such actions are a "desperate attempt to artificially and illegally inflate support for his candidacy" and cheat both political opponents and the people of Plainfield.
What Are the Legal Implications?
Submitting a false or fraudulent voter registration is unlawful and can result in a fine of up to $15,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both. Second-degree charges, like the ones Ibezim is facing for election fraud, could result in five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.
It is crucial to note that these charges are accusations and Dr. Henrilynn Ibezim is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
