CAMDEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — South Jersey political operative Craig Callaway has been charged with submitting fraudulent mail-in ballots in the 2022 general election.
Federal authorities allege Callaway, a former City Council president in Atlantic City, gathered vote-by-mail ballots and cast them in the 2022 election, in the names of people who said they never voted.
U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said Callaway, about a month before the election, paid messengers between $30 and $50 each to gather applications from people who supposedly wanted to vote by mail. But according to Sellinger, after the applications were processed, the messengers took the mail-in ballots from the Atlantic County clerk and gave them to Callaway.
Under the law, messengers are required to deliver mail-in ballots directly to the people who requested them. Callaway, 64, is charged with one count of fraudulently procuring and casting ballots.
"Holding free and fair elections is a bedrock principle of our democracy," Sellinger said in a statement. "As alleged in the complaint, the defendant attempted to deprive New Jersey residents of a fair election by fraudulently procuring and casting ballots. Today's charges reflect our office's commitment to hold to account those who try to undermine the electoral process."
Callaway previously served 3 1/2 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to bribery in 2006.
