The U.S. postal worker at the center of Republican-touted ballot tampering allegations in Pennsylvania has recanted his story, according to a new report from The Washington Post.
The employee’s claims had been widely cited by top Republicans as evidence of voter fraud in the critical swing state, part of a larger GOP effort to push unfounded allegations of widespread tampering as President Donald Trump aims to stay in the White House for a second term.
Three officials briefed on the investigation told the paper the worker made the admission to investigators from the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and signed an affidavit recanting the claims Monday.
House Democrats tweeted about the reversal Tuesday afternoon.
The employee had initially told investigators that an Erie, Pennsylvania-based postmaster had told workers to backdate ballots mailed after Election Day. Several Republicans, including Senator Lindsey Graham, had called on the U.S. Postal Service and the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the claims.
The president has repeatedly claimed victory over Democratic rival Joe Biden using the backing of baseless conspiracy theories and claims of voter fraud without evidence.
In a reversal of long-standing policy, U.S. Attorney General William Barr authorized federal prosecutors Monday to open investigations into credible allegations of voter fraud before the results of the election were certified.
While the paper said the employee did not return messages seeking comment, he denied recanting in a video posted to YouTube and social media Tuesday. "I’m here to say I did not recant my statements. That did not happen," he said.
Trump tweeted about the worker late Tuesday, calling him "a brave patriot."
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