Rensselaer Co. officials acquitted in ballot fraud case

ALBANY, N.Y. ( NEWS10 ) — All three Rensselaer County officials accused of committing ballot fraud were found not guilty on Wednesday. The three defendants were Rich Crist, the county’s Director of Operations, James Gordon, the Director of Central Services, and Leslie Wallace, an executive office worker.

On count 1: Conspiracy to violate the constitutional rights of others, all three defendants were found not guilty. On Count 2, witness tampering, Gordon was found not guilty. On Count 3, making false statements, Wallace was found not guilty.

According to a 2023 federal indictment, the defendants were accused of using their positions to coerce people below them into submitting fake absentee ballots to influence the outcome of 2021 county elections in the Republican’s favor. According to the Times Union, prosecutors argued the defendants committed these acts to aid the re-election bid of Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin.

All three were found not guilty of conspiring to violate the rights of Rensselaer County voters in connection to the 2021 elections. Gordon was also found not guilty of witness tampering and Wallace was found not guilty of making false statements.

“I want to thank all our supporters, our friends and family for tremendous support when many walked away. And there were lonely days. But you stood by us and this is your victory too!” said Rich Crist.

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