Criminal activity by Eastman campaign
Comrade Kara Eastman’s staff was caught on video admitting to breaking Nebraska election law and encouraging others to do the same with a scheme to act as “agents” to obtain absentee ballots in the name of others. The Eastman campaign’s criminal behavior drew the attention of Nebraska’s Secretary of State and the matter has been referred to the Attorney General.
The cease and desist letter from the Secretary of State can be found HERE.
In case you missed it…
Eastman campaign refutes Secretary of State’s allegation of election law violation
KETV
October 30, 2020
https://www.ketv.com/article/secretary-of-state-suggests-eastman-campaign-violated-election-law/34537395
OMAHA, Neb. — In a letter to the Kara Eastman campaign Friday, Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen accused the campaign of violating state election law by encouraging campaign workers to solicit voters for early ballots.
Eastman, a Democrat, is challenging Republican incumbent Don Bacon in Nebraska’s second district Congressional race.
Evnen, a Republican, cited a Zoom conference conducted on October 29th where John Santner reportedly told Eastman campaign workers they could “solicit voters to request a ballot and offer to serve as the voters’ agent for that purpose.”
Evnen also said Santner reportedly told campaign workers they could only pick up two ballots at one time and that he had personally acted as an agent on behalf of a voter.
Evnen identified a second person, Fatima Flores-Lagunas, as a campaign field organizer who also reportedly advised the group.
Under Nebraska law, it is illegal for a candidate for office and any person serving on a campaign committee for such a candidate to act as an agent for any registered voter, unless that person is a member of the voter’s family.
Eastman campaign manager Dave Pantos told KETV NewsWatch 7 Santner and Flores-Lagunas are employees of the Nebraska Democratic Party, and therefore “not covered by the restrictive language” of the statute.
Pantos said Santner’s involvement falls under less restrictive language in state law which allows any registered voters to appoint an agent to submit a request for a ballot, and to deliver it to an election office.
In his letter, Evnen advised the Eastman campaign he was referring the issue to Nebraska’s Attorney General for further investigation. Evnen requested the Eastman campaign “cease and desist” the activity, and to preserve records related it.
The Nebraska Republican Party said Evnen’s letter raised “serious election integrity questions.”
“Kara Eastman must immediately order her campaign to cease all activity and cooperate with the investigation into the alleged criminal activity being conducted on her behalf,” said Ryan Hamilton, Nebraska Republican Party Executive Director.