Indiana AG seeks to be heard in the Civil Case of Two East Chicago Police Officers Charged with Vote Fraud

September 25, 2007 -- INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Two East Chicago police officers charged with vote fraud in 2006 have captured the attention of Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter. Carter has filed a Motion to Intervene in the officers’ civil case against the Lake County Board of Elections and Registration.

Carter believes Ronald DeCastro and Randy Morris’ actions seeking a declaratory judgment, and obtaining a court order entitling them to vote by provisional ballot in the May 8, 2007 primary election is an attempt to circumvent the criminal proceedings filed against them by the Lake County Joint Voter Fraud Task Force.

“It is important the Court hear the state’s evidence regarding the residency of both of these men before making a final order,” Carter said. “This is an attempt to attack the criminal case by the State of Indiana by not allowing the State to present evidence on their residency.”

On July 31, 2006, Attorney General Carter and Lake County Prosecutor Bernard A. Carter charged DeCastro and Morris with vote fraud relating to the May 6, 2003 East Chicago Primary Election. DeCastro has been charged with four counts, while Morris has been charged with one count of vote fraud.

At 2 o’clock in the afternoon May 8, 2007, Primary Election Day, DeCastro and Morris sought court orders allowing them to vote by provisional ballot. An order was issued by the court that same afternoon, even though the State was not given the opportunity to be heard or present evidence at this hearing.

Carter’s Motion states;

“The ongoing prosecution of DeCastro and Morris in Lake Superior Court is essentially “the same action” as this one. Residency is at issue in both the civil and criminal cases. As the party responsible for initiating and prosecuting the criminal case against DeCastro and Morris, the State has a genuine interest in participating in these proceedings to ensure that they do not interfere with the criminal prosecution, including by arguing for dismissal.”

“The citizens of East Chicago must also be aware of the tactics being utilized to attack criminal proceedings and to continue maneuvers that may perpetuate fraud on the electoral process,” Carter added.

Source: Indiana Attorney General