The Lake County, Indiana Joint Vote Fraud Task Force Announces More Convictions

November 8, 2007 -- INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Two more people charged with vote fraud by the Lake County Joint Vote Fraud Task Force have plead guilty and another person has been sentenced announced Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter. There are now 37 convictions against 53 defendants for vote fraud. Trial dates or pre-trial hearings are scheduled for 11 remaining cases brought by AG Carter and Lake County Prosecutor Bernard A. Carter.

Brian Berkman, Gary, IN has pled guilty to Voting in Other Precinct. He has been sentenced to one year in the Lake County jail, to be served on probation. Berkman was charged by the Task Force in 2005. He is a former Schererville Town Court Bailiff.

Natividad Hernandez, East Chicago, IN has pled guilty to Unauthorized Entry at the Polls. She is scheduled to be sentenced on December 12. Hernandez was charged by the Task Force in 2005.

Sentencing has also occurred for one person who pled guilty earlier this year.

(Mr.) Ashley Dunlap, East Chicago, IN has pled guilty to Aiding Fraudulent Application of a Ballot in August. He has been sentenced to one year probation. He was charged in March 2006 by the Task Force.

Lake County Deputy Prosecutor Angela Brown, the investigators and Deputy Prosecutor Andrew Thomas, of Attorney General Carter's Office and the Indiana State Police, have led the successful investigation and prosecution of these cases.

Source: Indiana Attorney General