PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Rhode Island State Police have joined the investigation into suspect nomination signatures submitted by the marketing campaign of Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, a candidate for the U.S. House seat vacated by former Democratic Rep. David Cicilline.
Election officers in three communities situated within the 1st Congressional District this week requested native police departments to research suspected fraudulent signatures on nomination papers submitted by the Matos marketing campaign.
The Rhode Island Board of Elections on Friday voted 5-1 to refer all Matos nomination papers to the legal professional common for investigation whereas confirming her place on the particular election poll.
Matos stated Friday she is “deeply sorry this happened.”
“This week we have heard reports that a vendor hired by my campaign to help gather signatures engaged in a widespread and outrageous attempt to defraud my campaign, the people of Rhode Island and the Democratic process,” Matos stated. “Let me be clear. I did not ask for that. I did not need this.”
Matos stated the seller has been fired and he or she is cooperating with the state legal professional common.
Matos is one in every of 12 Democrats hoping to succeed Cicilline, who stepped down earlier this summer season to grow to be the president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation.
Attorney General Peter Neronha’s workplace helps lead the investigation. Neronha has stated his workplace would study the nomination kinds the Matos marketing campaign submitted in each municipality within the district.
The investigation is targeted partly on part-time area marketing campaign employees who gathered and submitted the signatures for Matos.
Matos marketing campaign supervisor Brexton Isaacs stated the marketing campaign offered clear directions on methods to appropriately collect signatures.
“Anyone who violated these detailed instructions and the nomination process has no place in our campaign and will be held accountable,” Isaacs stated.
The particular main election shall be held on Sept. 5. The particular common election shall be held on Nov. 7.
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