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Subscribe to RSSThe Daily Rundown's Chuck Todd talks to NBC's Michael Isikoff about Florida voting fraud and what's being done about it now
Updated: 8:46p.m. ET: Election officials in six Florida counties are investigating what appears to be "hundreds” of cases of suspected voter fraud by a GOP consulting firm that has been paid nearly $3 million by the Republican National Committee to register Republican voters in five key battleground states, state officials tell NBC.
But the veteran GOP consultant, Nathan Sproul, who runs the firm, strongly defended his company's conduct, saying it has rigorous "quality controls" and blamed the alleged fraud on the actions of a few "bad apples," workers who were hired to register Republican voters for $12 an hour and then tried to "cheat the system."
The allegations of suspected voter fraud committed by Strategic Allied Consulting of Tempe, Arizona spread Thursday to counties throughout Florida. At the same time, the Republican National Committee said it had severed its ties to the firm altogether.
"We have heard from supervisors in six counties that they have irregularities in voter registration," said Chris Cate, spokesman for the Florida Department of State, which oversees the state's division of elections. Although local prosecutors are already investigating the firm's conduct, Cate said state officials were also considering turning the matter over to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to determine if there was a pattern of misconduct.
The suspected fraud included apparent cases of dead people being registered as Republican voters, said Paul Lux, the supervisor of elections in Okaloosa County and a Republican. He compared the suspected fraud to the alleged acts of ACORN, the liberal activist group that became the center of a national controversy several years ago.
"It's kind of ironic that the dead people they accused Acorn of registering are now being done by the RPOF" [Republican Party of Florida], Lux said in an interview with NBC News.
While Republican groups as a whole are still outspending Democratic groups, the gap is narrowing, in part to the individual donors finally stepping up on the Democrats' behalf. NBC News' Michael Isikoff discusses.
In addition to Palm Beach County, where election officials initially reported 106 instances of suspected fraudulent registration forms, officials in Okaloosa, Pasco, Santa Rosa, Lee and Clay counties have also reported instances of possible fraudulent forms submitted by the firm, officials said.
In a statement on Strategic Allied's website, the firm's lawyer said:
"Strategic has a zero tolerance policy for breaking the law. Accordingly, once we learned of the irregularities in Palm Beach County, we were able to trace all questionable cards to one individual and immediately terminated our working relationship with the individual in question. Strategic is committed to following the letter of the law and will continue to cooperate with the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections to ensure that this issue is resolved."
Sproul said in a telephone interview that his company has employed between 4,000 and 5,000 people to register Republican voters under its contract with the RNC, including over 2,000 in Florida. The employees are given training on how to register voters, including being required to watch a video instructing them not to register felons. The video also instructs recruiters not to "modify or falsify voter registration forms."
"No matter what quality controls you have there are always going to be bad actors in any large scale operation," Sproul said.
Sproul, who has long worked for the GOP, also criticized Florida and national Republican officials for dumping him.
"They're trying to get the distraction behind them," he said about the RNC's action.
Sean Spicer, communications director for the RNC, said Strategic Allied Consulting had been retained by the RNC and state Republican parties to register new Republican voters in five key battleground states.
But Spicer said that the party's relationship with the firm-- which has been paid $2.9 million by the RNC so far this year, according to federal elections records -- has now been terminated in light of alleged voter fraud linked to one of the firm's employees that was reported this week to Florida prosecutors by election officials in Palm Beach County.
"We've made it clear we're not doing business with these guys anymore," said Spicer. "We've come out pretty strong against this kind of stuff -- and we have zero tolerance for this."
Strategic Allied’s parent firm, Lincoln Strategy Group, also headed by Sproul, has been paid about $80,000 by the Romney campaign to conduct "field consulting," according to election records. Asked for comment, Sarah Pompei, a spokeswoman for the Romney campaign, said by email: "We used this vendor for signature gathering services during the primary but have not used them since 2011."
Besides Florida, Strategic Allied Consulting was hired to register GOP voters in Nevada, North Carolina, Colorado and Virginia. Spicer said it was the only firm hired by the RNC to conduct voter registration. In the case of Nevada, he said, the RNC was paying the firm directly. In the other four states, the firm was being paid by state parties with the funds reimbursed by the RNC.
The allegations involving voter fraud by the GOP consulting firm are a new twist in the national controversy over the threat posed by voter fraud and the impact of new state laws passed by Republican controlled legislatures to combat it. While Republican officials have repeatedly accused Democratic groups such as ACORN of fraudulently registering voters in the past, the new dispute over what happened in Palm Beach-- involving the registration of Republican voters -- appears to be one of the first to have led to a criminal inquiry in this year's election.
Christine Weiss, a spokeswoman for the Palm Beach State Attorney's Office, told NBC News Thursday that the alleged voter fraud by a Strategic Allied Consulting employee is "currently being investigated" by prosecutors in her office after it was brought to the attention of prosecutors on Monday by Palm Beach election supervisor Susan Bucher.
Out of 304 Republican voter registration forms recently dropped off by a Strategic Allied employee at a small "satellite office" of the Palm Beach elections office, 106 were flagged as potentially fraudulent-- including "a lot" with "similar looking" signatures and others with apparently phony addresses, Susan Bucher, the Palm Beach elections supervisor, said in an interview.
Among the suspect home addresses were those that matched a gas station in Miami, a medical building in Boca Raton and a Land Rover automotive dealership in Palm Beach County, she told NBC News.
Bucher said she called in the political director for the Palm Beach Republican Party and the GOP official agreed that the registration forms were a problem. She then took the forms to the Palm Beach County State's Attorney's office on Monday and requested the investigation.
In a statement issued Tuesday night, Mike Grissom, executive director of the Florida Republican Party, said: "When we learned today about the instances of potential voter registration fraud that occurred in Palm Beach County, we immediately informed the Republican National Committee that we were terminating the contract with the voter registration vendor we hired at their request because there is no place for voter registration fraud in Florida."
Sproul has been previously accused of suppressing Democratic voter turnout, throwing away registration forms, and manipulating ballot initiatives. His firms -- formerly Sproul & Associates, Lincoln Strategy, and Strategic Allied Consultants -- had previously worked for RNC voter registration efforts during the campaigns of George W. Bush and John McCain. In 2004, Democratic Senators Leahy and Kennedy sent a letter to then Attorney General John Ashcroft requesting that he "launch an immediate investigation into the activities of Mr. Sproul and his firm." But the request did not lead to any criminal charges against Sproul.
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The RNC has cut ties to the Middle Class, the Working Poor, the elderly, and the disabled. The RNC wants to cut ties with 47% of our citizens that are "Welfare Wenches." The RNC has cut ties with the ideas of morality, ethical behhavior, and tolerance for others. The RNC has cut ties with developing a fair Economic Policy, a fair Tax Policy, a fair Trade Policy, and a constructive Jobs plan.
Mitt Romney says Americans shouldn't expect a big tax cut from him if he's elected president, because the nation also has to think about how to tame out-of-control federal deficits.
"Don't be expecting a huge cut in taxes, because I'm also going to be closing loopholes on deductions,"
WELL, JUST GREAT!! Give a more to y'all rich people--
@heavenly,
Give a more to y'all rich people
Yep. Now comes yet another Romney video, this time describing Bain Capital as a firm that harvests other companies for profit.
The choice is clear.
Obama/Biden 2012
This was ONE MAN, Democrats have thousands doing the same crap and don't want ID's checked so it is easier to commit fraud.
One firm in the entire state of Florida, interesting and that firm was headed by....a republican avocator=fraud.
Obama 2012
Desperate. Why don't you go read the article about the Romney donor whose accused of fraud.
Einstein, of course he was a Republican advocate, he was hired by them.
We had to pay for ACORN's fraud for YEARS with OUR TAX DOLLARS!
ACORN exonerated, by that time too late.
Obama 2012
By who, Eric Holder?
bumfoot. PROVE YOUR THEORY. You can't .The republicans got caught REDHANDED . Live with it you nitwit. Romney's dead in the water. The teapukes will lose control of the house ,and we can all watch JOHN BOEHNER CRY AGAIN.
Read up on Bucher and then get back to me.
This woman should not be in charge of a gumball machine, let alone elections.
during the 2000 election jeb bush hired a firm that operated like these crooks who should be jailed. g. bush stated on election night while sitting with his family that his brother who was the governor of florida promised the state of florida to him.
now we know why !!!!!!!!!!!!! that election was rigged !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
that is not what america is and can not become
I hate the way they are bigots and want to have people believe the Dems are frauds.. got a clue Republicans. You can't be trusted. the congress,Senate etc.. you are all crooks!! Bigots and disgusting people.. Why I don't even think you could be considered American..Sure white Supreme,Satanic beasts.. How can you try and blame Obama for the lack of jobs? Duh!! you wouldn't even read the dang thing!!.. You are responseable for all the the pain and suffering especially the last 2 years with refusing to do anything.. God you would have been forgiven if somethings didn't work but, to just not do,pass,think of anything is disgracful.!
acorn was not cleared, and are now defunct. this again shows a reason for voter id, no matter what side is playing dirty.
Impeach Rick Scott! He's the Executive branch of Fl. so he's responsible
They were fired, ACORN was busted and given more responsibility for the "good" job they were doing.
I also think they got tax dollars, HUGE DIFFERENCE!
ACORN was never a fraud and those "despicable" videos are the same deceptively and selectively edited material we still get from Conservatives on Obama's writings like the "siding with Muslims" and all the fabricated BS. They managed their Federal funding appropriately.
And DON't try to deflect the fire of current events or your teeth will fall out.
Reynolds makes the best tinfoil.
lvingbarefoot
Reynolds makes the best tinfoil.
The conservatives make the best dummies, and cheaters, and hypocrites, and ... etc etc etc...
I often find myself wondering if the republicans really want to win this election?
Hahahahah!!! Hoisted on their own petard. Let's hear how Hanity and Rush spin this one. Oooooo big bad ACORN, those two are such bloviating jack asses I hope someone shoves this news down their throats and asks them to defend the RNC's choice of Strategic Allied Consulting and Nathan Sproul. These Republicans know the only way they are going to win in November is by sinking to the tactics they falsely accused ACORN of. I hope that Romney's debates just suck and the Dems crush the Repub's across the board so I can phone Rush and Sean and laugh in their faces. Of course the both of them are secretly hoping for an Obama victory so they have more content for the next four years. Could you imagine how their ratings would sink if they had no one to rail against.
At least the RNC did the right thing and fired them.
Remind me, what did the DNC do when it was discovered that ACORN was doing the same thing?
Sounds to me that you only think it's bad when the republicans do something like this, Greg. Hypocritical if you ask me.
Deplorable. This combined with their brazen efforts nationwide to prevent LEGITIMATE, LEGAL citizens from voting is the worst. Do they not understand they dishonor every veteran who ever served ad died for right of LEGAL voters to vote? And they are so open about it. They admit it. A sad time in this country that this un-American trash isn't run out of the country period.
As a VETERAN, I want ID to be required to vote.
Hell, if you are not responsible enough to get an ID, I could care less if you vote.
Yep! The only, ONLY (OK maybe not ALL but more than enough to suspect every GOP/TP vote) voter fraud has been the GOP! Not only do these clown shoes need to be prosecuted but dragged into the streets and beaten to death!
Beaten to death is going some, however I'll go for a good flogging.
Obama 2012
Cool Skyparrot, Thank You for a word of kindness. I have calmed down after hearing your voice and Mine's voice. I am cool with flogging, just let it last a few days! These Clown Shoes need to learn somehow!
As an asides, I remember what Nixon did to Our country and I have not been able to trust a GOP member since then! And I have not seen one yet that has even tried to make improvements to their political style!
I hear you, great article in Smithsonian Mag. about Daniel Ellsberg, didn't have really one way or the other about Reagan until the Beirut slaughter and the Iran Contra, soured me completely, W finally pushed me so far over the edge I'll never, ever trust a syllable out of any of their mouths.
Obama 2012
The GOP has been screaming "voter fraud" but can't seem to provide any proof that it is an issue. So they hire a firm to create some ~ and give credence to their argument. To Hell with jobs, economy, outsourcing, healthcare, etc ~ ~ the first order of business for the new congress should be to clean up the electoral process. Maybe we should put the Federal Elections Commission in charge of all elections where national offices are on the ballot ~ I mean totally in charge. At least if there is something crooked going on, it will be equally applied to all 50 states.
Not only will Republicans take your freedom and rights by starting with voter ID laws, they will actually violate your rights by using phony voters. Yes, the reason why Republicans wanted voter ID laws! They were going to do it all along. The Republican Party is that disgusting.
Grow up!
Vile disgusting anti-American GOP. You are a follower. Minon.
I believe a republican state official in Pa. stated that very same thing, giving the state to Romney, done.
Obama 2012
People bringing up Acorn are showing their true desperation, and Chesty bringing up allegations, but not then bringing up what the outcome of the investigation's is a pure Republican tactic. Acorn was found to be not guilty of any of the allegations. Did they hire people that made up names, or people that weren't eligible to vote, yes, these were found and none of these bogus registrations were ever put into the system.
There has also been Republicans taking registrations and throwing out the ones that said Democrat.
VOTER FRAUD BY THE GOP!! wow!!! :-D
Did I just hear an another ACORN fall? Guess what goes around comes around!
They see dead people
lmfao heavenly .... morning chuckle .....
Look at the Republicans scurry to cover their tracks! "What about ACORN?" What about them? What about the Republican who broken into a politicians office by posing as a phone service worker? If Republicans want to bring up ACORN, the let's bring up Bush. Republican think only they are entitled to the past.
Bush v Gore, hanging chads, Ohio fiasco, all Democrats fault.
Obama 2012
This is not a big deal. First, this was not "voter fraud," as the article states. It was "voter registration fraud," something entirely different. "Voter fraud" is when someone fraudulently votes—the victim of voter fraud is all of us. "Voter registration fraud" is when someone registers a phony "voter"—the victim of voter fraud is the entity that hired and payed this person for the phony registration. In this case the RNC was the victim; in past cases Acorn was the victim. In neither of these instances did anyone fraudulently vote, nor could anyone have done so. In both the RNC case and the Acorn cases it was a matter of an individual or individuals defrauding the RNC or Acorn of money by faking the registration of non-people who would never vote.
Voter fraud is virtually non-existent. But don't believe me. Research the difference on the internet yoursel.
How do you register a dead person??
I smell a DNC plant.
Let's see if they identify who dropped them off. If someone is arrested, I am wrong, otherwise something fishy by Bucher.
Nobody drops something that easy to catch on the doorstep of Democrats.
What you smell is the Stench!
Obama/Biden 2012!
That should be their new slogan. I like it!
The stench you smell is the tar and waste of lies, hatred, intolerance, racism and bigotry droppings from all you Republicans. You are standing in your Republican filth.
When I said "Stench" I was referring to Ryan's pet name for Willard. livingbarefoot failed to make the connection.
Obama/Biden 2012!
Yes, Romney nickname. The example someone used last night concerning "Stench", was very funny.
ACORN.... ACORN.... ACORN.... and you know what? There will not be ONE word tonight on FUX News....
Hey, at least someone in Florida caught the fraud and managed to avoid being silenced. If nothing else, that's a start.
Can't wait for the book about the 'Shenanigans of 2012', though. Should be reminiscent of Watergate and the accumulated dirty tricks of Haldemann, Ehrlichman, and John Mitchell. Oh, and the Big Dick, as well.
.
This is the same Bucher that is being sued for racial discrimination against a black worker and "computer glitches" caused her to certify the wrong outcome in two races.
This is going to be crap, but NBC will re-post it for a week or two.
This is what Republicans call 'plausable deniability'. When their efforts to prevent blacks and Latinos from voting are exposed, they will claim this incident as evidence that they were actually trying to be 'fair'.
Let's face it .. the republicans have turned the party into an absolute orgy of scum-bags ... The only voter fraud that has been perpetrated over the past decade seems to have been from republicans... they can't possibly win in the arena of fair ideas ... becuase nobody wants to down the Dog Food they are selling.
RepublicanNC doing more voter fraud than all the states in the USA. Yeah, Bush won by fraud and typical RNC delay. COUNT ALL THE VOTES !!!!! The USA should have a standardized procedure with no way for party lines to influence the outcome!!!!! VOTE AMERICANS !!!!!! FREEDOM!!!!
You know a rich boy and a frat boy = bad chemistry-- their personalities clash already--
didn't I read something Ryan said over the weekend-- "If STENCH calls tell him I am haveing finger sandwiches with Peggy Noonan and I'll text him later."
a tool- you think?
Bucher is one of two Florida Election Supervisors that did not want suspected non-citizens to prove their citizenship.
This is all staged crap and if someone is arrested, unless it is her or her plant, I will be wrong.
Until that time, I do not believe anyone would gift-wrap something so juvenile and obvious to her.
The RNC paid them 2.9 million dollars. Isn't this proof enough that their the ones trying to steal an election and committing fraud. Is this the first time or have they done in it other elections ? Would it be business as usual if they hadn't got caught? I guess it is time for us to really find out how corrupt these parties are and what impact have they had on previous elections. I for one say in no way should the RNC denouncing them be enough to avoid a complete investigation of their practices and arrest anyone who has comitted voter fraud.