Former Florida state senate candidate enters guilty plea in 'ghost' candidate investigation

[UpInArms]

Source: WESH

MIAMI —
Former NPA District 37 Florida Senate candidate Alex Rodriguez entered a plea of guilty Tuesday morning in a Miami court hearing.

He pleaded guilty to two of four felony counts in connection with election law violations.

Rodriguez appeared to be crying as he apologized in court.

"I am deeply sorry for my actions and I want to apologize to my family, my loved ones and my friends who have been through this," he said.

He will receive one year house arrest, followed by two years of probation, receive no jail time, and testify against Republican former State Sen. Frank Artiles, who is facing four felony charges.

The State alleges Artiles paid roughly $40,000 to Rodriguez to run as an NPA candidate in last November's Miami Senate race, successfully drawing more than 6,000 votes from the Democratic incumbent of the same last name, Jose Javier Rodriguez, and handing the Republican candidate a victory.

Read more: https://www.wesh.com/article/former-florida-state-senator-enters-guilty-plea-in-ghost-candidate-investigation/37384306#

[zuul]

1. How many other times did the repubes pull this stunt and get away with it?

[Ford_Prefect]

2. They pulled it a number of times in North Carolina in recent elections.

It appears to be SOP for certain GOP strategists.

[obamanut2012]

3. At least twice in FL, several times in NC

At least he is being punished and he flipped, and a worse punishment will be levied against Artiles.

[reACTIONary]

12. I know of two instances, in local elections, and ...

... I don't think it is confined to any one party. At least at the local level.

[Judi Lynn]

14. If you would, please post the names of any Democrats who have also entered races the same way.

I have never heard of even one Democrat getting involved merely to derail the campaign of a Republican.

It would be worth the effort to throw some real light on the situation.

Thanks, in advance.

[reACTIONary]

15. The two instances that I am aware of...

Last edited Thu Aug 26, 2021, 10:38 PM - Edit history (1)

... involve encouraging / funding an alternative "independent" candidate when a serious reform candidate runs in opposition to the political establishment. Of course those who engage in such tactics are not going to be forthright and transparent about it, so there is, by necessity, some amount of speculation as to what is going on and who is behind it.

One instance occurred in a deep blue county in a deep blue state, so the threatened establishment was Democratic. In this instance it would be reasonable to suspect Democratic insider involvement.

The other instance that I am aware of occurred in Ferguson, MO. Yep, that Ferguson. In that case, not only did an "independent" candidate pop up to split the reform vote, but there was also an anti-semitic smear campaign. I don't know the party affiliation of the establishment in this case, but I assume it was Republican.

[old guy]

4. Huh.

Looks to me he pretty much got away with it. No jail time, no fine, but he did cry a little so there is that. Justice my eye.

[Gregory Peccary]

9. Yep

And I guess he gets to keep the $40,000? Doesn't mention a fine.

Ileana Garcia, the "winner" (by a measly 62 votes - the fake Garcia got over 6,000 votes!), is still in the Florida Senate. She should be tossed out of there like a salad.

[AllaN01Bear]

5. wonder how many other places they pulled this stunt. whelp, he got caught .:)

[bucolic_frolic]

6. How about apologizing to the United States of America whose elections you corrupted?

Total self-centered GOP AH's.

[ffr]

7. Election rigging by rat fcuking republicans

AND ONLY REPUBLICANS! They are the only scum suckers out there that do this sort of thing.

[groundloop]

8. Yet the election results stand, so this was a successful RatFucking of Democrats.

[C Moon]

10. Another use of a Republican get out of jail free card.

[SunSeeker]

11. And yet the results stand. WTF?

[riversedge]

13. He will have a felony record --all for a little money.