Florida mayor indicted on election fraud charges
EATONVILLE, Fla. --A grand jury has indicted the mayor of Eatonville, Florida on election fraud charges,reports CBS affiliate WKMG.
Eatonville Mayor Anthony Grant bonded out of the Orange County Jail early Tuesday, hours after being indicted for allegedly using intimidation and manipulation to get votes during the town's 2015 municipal election. WKMG reports that Grant also faces allegations that people who weren't from Eatonville voted in the election.
Two others, James Randolph and Mia Antionette Nowells, have also been accused of helping Grant intimidate voters, said State Attorney Jeff Ashton during a Monday press conference.
"The basic accusation in the conspiracy count is that these three conspired together to essentially present votes as if they were legitimate," Ashton said.
The lawsuit that sparked the investigation alleged that Grant bribed people for votes; however, no charges have been filed in connection with those allegations.
Ashton said the grand jury met over the course of six months to hear evidence in the case, which included testimony from voters from Eatonville.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott will determine if Grant will remain as mayor.