This Paterson councilman faces election fraud charges. He's raising money for his defense
PATERSON — Councilman Alex Mendez is holding a fundraising event to cover his legal fees for his upcoming trial in the New Jersey Attorney General’s election fraud case against him.
Mendez is holding a dinner on Thursday, May 11 at The Bonfire banquet hall on Market Street. The councilman said tickets cost $125, $500, or $1,000.
“I have to put every dollar I have in so I can get a victory in this case and continue serving the community,” said Mendez, who represents the city’s 3rd Ward. “We’re going to stay on solid ground and keep fighting.”
Superior Court Judge Sohail Mohammed plan to hold a conference in Mendez’ case in July to schedule a trial date.
Meanwhile, the trial in the state’s election fraud case against 1st Ward Councilman Michael Jackson, which had been scheduled to start next week, has been delayed. Court officials on Thursday said Jackson’s lawyer is involved in a trial in a separate case, prompting the adjournment.
The accusations against Mendez and Jackson stem from Paterson’s ward elections in May 2020. Both councilmen repeatedly have professed their innocence, claiming the charges against them were orchestrated by Mayor Andre Sayegh’s political allies in state government.
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A grand jury in 2021 indicted Mendez on seven charges — election fraud, fraud in casting a mail-in vote, unauthorized possession of ballots, tampering with public records, falsifying or tampering with records, false registration and attempted false registration.
The most serious charge — election fraud — is a second-degree offense that comes with a maximum 10-year prison sentence if he is convicted. That charge is based on the allegation that Mendez registered two people to vote in the 3rd Ward even though he knew they did not live in the election district.
The election fraud charge against Jackson accused him of submitting a completed mail-in ballot for someone while allegedly knowing the voter did not make the candidate selection marked on the ballot.
Two other men — both campaign workers for 2nd Ward Councilman Shahin Khalique — were named in the original charges filed by the Attorney General's Office in June 2020.
One of them, Abu Razyen, was indicted on third-degree election crimes in 2022. Authorities have not announced any further criminal proceedings against the other, Shelem Khalique, the councilman's brother.
Joe Malinconico is editor of Paterson Press. Email: editor@patersonpress.com
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson Councilman Alex Mendez holds election fraud trial fundraiser
