Justice Department officials are investigating claims of election fraud in California, but have found no evidence of widespread voter fraud. The investigation is led by First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli, a Trump appointee.
Election Fraud Claims
President Donald Trump has made claims of Democratic vote-rigging in the Los Angeles election, but his top appointed prosecutor in the city has found no evidence to support these claims. Essayli has acknowledged that the department hasn’t found the kind of fraud that would impact electoral outcomes, but has blamed California for a system that makes such evidence nearly impossible to find.
The Justice Department has launched no new criminal cases connected to how the city administered last week’s contest, according to a source familiar with the matter. The agency’s leaders have been quick to tout the potential for fraud prosecutions, but have not provided evidence of a sweeping plot to steal elections from Republicans.
Investigation and Criticism
Essayli has promised prosecutions in California were only a matter of time, while also suggesting his office needed whistleblowers to come forward. He has acknowledged that the department hasn’t found the kind of fraud that would impact electoral outcomes, but has blamed California for a system that makes such evidence nearly impossible to find.
Critics have accused the Justice Department of undermining public confidence in the vote by feeding into Trump’s claims without offering any proof of criminal wrongdoing. Election veterans have warned that this could create an environment where trust in local county officials and city officials is eroded.
The Justice Department has already been grappling with vows by Trump that DOJ would bring prosecutions for the 2020 presidential election, which Trump still falsely claims was stolen from him. The administration has yet to show it’s found any evidence that would prove fraud was to blame for Trump’s loss.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
