Some jokes cost more than others, and a New Hampshire man learned that the hard way after he had his right to vote stripped from him thanks to a fake Craigslist ad he posted that contained a legislative candidate’s number on the day of the election.
On Monday, 30-year-old Michael Drouin pleaded guilty to creating a false document after a flood of unwanted calls and texts jammed up the candidate’s cellphone, forcing him to inevitably get a new one, WMUR-TV reported.
While Drouin only pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge, the New Hampshire Constitution says that anyone convicted of a willful violation of the state’s election laws loses their right to vote in the state.
Drouin pleaded guilty under a plea agreement which will see him have a 90-day suspended jail sentence, a $250 fine, and 250 hours of community service.
The candidate who had his phone blown up thanks to Drouin’s fake ad was Bill Boyd, who went on to win a special election and replace New Hampshire House Speaker Dick Hinch (R), who had died from COVID-19 in December 2020.
Boyd said in court that he had 37 phone calls or text messages in 45 minutes on the morning of the election.
“I experienced distress with my phone going on and off,” Boyd said in court, WMUR-TV reported.
The state’s attorney general’s office claimed that the actions of Douin could have cost the Republican the election and was a clear violation of voting laws, The New York Times reported.
Drouin still has the right to petition the New Hampshire Supreme Court in an attempt to have his voting rights restored. An affidavit obtained by The Associated Press shows that he has maintained his actions were “a joke” and that he “meant no harm.”
In court on Monday, Drouin addressed Boyd, who told investigators that Drouin had reached out to him on Facebook, admitting to the “prank” and saying he wanted to apologize.
“I want to make amends. I apologize,” Drouin said, finally issuing his apology to Boyd on Monday.
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