Title: Paterson Council President and Associates Charged with Election Fraud
Paterson’s council president, Alex Mendez, alongside his wife and two campaign workers, has been charged with significant election-related offenses, including stealing and tampering with ballots during the 2020 election. The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office alleges that Mendez, 49, his wife Yohanny Mendez, Omar Ledesma, and Iris Rigo conspired to undermine the electoral process, attempting to skew the election results in Mendez’s favor.
The investigation, initially launched by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability in 2021, revealed a disturbing pattern of misconduct surrounding the May 2020 election. Hundreds of mail-in ballots were discovered improperly stored in a Haledon postal box, prompting deeper scrutiny. The group is accused of forging ballots and voter registrations, in addition to tampering with public records and witness intimidation.
Additionally, a fifth individual, Ninoska Adames, faces similar charges, including tampering with a voter certificate. The charges against Mendez and his associates have evolved over time, with new allegations surfacing in 2023 that expand upon earlier offenses linked to election fraud and mismanagement of mail-in ballots.
The charges have drawn significant media attention, once evoking assertions from then-President Donald Trump about widespread mail-in voting fraud during the 2020 election. Although court attempts to invalidate the election results were ultimately unsuccessful, the case highlights ongoing concerns about election integrity.
Mendez, previously charged alongside councilman Michael Jackson—who maintains his innocence—has stated he has always been a strong candidate in Paterson elections and has no reason to engage in fraudulent activities. As the case unfolds, the response from legal representatives for those charged remains pending.
For more updates, follow Matthew Enuco at NJ Advance Media.
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