Sec. of State Could Receive Verdict Friday

Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White

www.in.gov

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – A jury could decide Friday whether or not Indiana’s Secretary of State committed voter fraud, a decision which could have him removed from office.

Charlie White’s criminal trial began Monday in a Noblesville, Indiana courtroom. He faces seven felony charges including voter fraud, perjury, theft, and financial fraud. He was indicted last March.

When he registered to vote in the May 2010 primary, White used his ex-wife’s address instead of a townhome he was allegedly living in. Prosecutors argue that White used the address on his registration because he was a member of the Fishers Town Council and the townhome was outside the district he represented.

During the trial, prosecutors presented as evidence cell phone records showing a vast majority of White’s nighttime calls on his cellphone were “pinged” at a cell tower near his townhome, not his ex-wife’s house.

The prosecution finished presenting their evidence and witnesses on Thursday. White’s attorney, former Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi, decided not to offer any evidence or witnesses on his client’s behalf.

Final arguments will be made Friday morning. Jurors will then consider if White is innocent or guilty on the seven counts.

If White is convicted of a felony, he must vacate the Secretary of State’s office. In such instances, Indiana law would make the second place candidate in the election the replacement.

White defeated Democrat Vop Osili in the 2010 election by more than 300,000 votes.

In January, Marion Circuit Court Judge Louis Rosenberg ordered White to be removed from office, but granted a stay in the case as White appeals the ruling.

The Indiana Recount Commission had ruled in June that White was eligible to hold the office.

LINKS:

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