Leaked footage raises questions of ballot fraud in Bridgeport mayoral race
BRIDGEPORT, Connecticut (WABC) -- Wanda Geter-Pataky walked into court and took the oath to tell the truth, but the Bridgeport City Hall worker hardly uttered a word.
The case in question surrounds a video, allegedly showing her or others at her direction depositing absentee ballots into a drop box one week before September's Democratic primary in Bridgeport.
That preproduced video is at the center of a lawsuit and a state investigation in Connecticut.
Friday marked day two of a hearing to determine whether the results of last month's mayoral primary should be thrown out.
On election night, Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim was trailing his opponent by 487 votes.
The next morning, he declared victory after absentee ballot count put him ahead by 251 votes.
"The only way the other side was going to win was by stealing the election, and that's what they did," said mayoral candidate John Gomes. "Thank God, we hopefully have enough proof to overturn the results."
Challenger John Gomes is hoping the results get thrown out, claiming Ganim supporters stuffed absentee boxes with fraudulent ballots.
The alleged fraud took place the early morning hours and was captured by City Hall cameras, which was leaked to the Gomes campaign.
"I do election cases all over the state," said William Bloss, Gomes' attorney. "This is the only city that has this type of problem."
On Thursday, a police captain testified the city has turned over thousands of hours of security footage.
Connecticut law does allow for designees to deposit ballots for all residents. Lawyers hired by the administration argue the video doesn't necessarily show election fraud.
"This is a court of law, and smoke does not equal fire unless you can prove it," said attorney John Kennelly.
The big question remains was the mayor aware of or ordered the alleged absentee ballot fraud? He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
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