58°F
weather icon Mostly Cloudy

Guilty plea in fraudulent Nevada voter petition scheme

Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt and Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske announced that Patrick Duffy, 48, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty last week to one count of misconduct in signing, filing, or altering petition, a category “D” felony.

Duffy falsified the signatures of individuals on petitions to qualify the Nevada Green Party for general election ballot access in 2016 and then submitted those falsified petitions to be filed, Laxalt’s office announced recently.

While submitting those petitions, Duffy swore under penalty of perjury that the signatures were legitimate, the attorney general’s office said.

“Protecting the integrity of the elections process from voter fraud and ensuring that the will of Nevadans is heard remains a priority for my office and this state,” Attorney General Adam Laxalt said.

Nevada Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske said: “Ensuring the integrity of the petition process is a very important responsibility of this office. Those individuals and entities that participate in the gathering of voters’ signatures on petitions must be diligent in their adherence to the law. Falsifying a signature on a petition is a category “D” felony.”

Eighth Judicial District Judge Stefany Miley accepted Duffy’s plea. Duffy is due to be sentenced on Oct. 17.

Duffy is not the first defendant to be prosecuted by the Nevada attorney general’s office for falsifying voter petitions.

Last year, the state Attorney General’s Fraud Unit prosecuted Renaldo Johnson for similar conduct. Johnson has also pleaded guilty to misconduct in signing, filing, or altering petition, Laxalt’s office said.

Like Duffy, he has not yet been sentenced. Both the Duffy and Johnson matters were investigated by the Nevada secretary of state’s office.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Beatty Clinic gets tons of help with new a/c

BEATTY — The Beatty Foundation, an affiliate of AngloGold-Ashanti (AGA), did tons of good at the Beatty Clinic on March 22. Nine tons, exactly.

11th Annual Chili Cook-Off brings tempting tastings and festival fun

The 11th Annual International Chili Society and Silver State Chili Cook-Off took over Petrack Park this past weekend for three days filled with savory tastings, fun and activities and of course, some intense culinary competition.

Pahrump homeschoolers dance the night away

Pahrump Valley’s homeschool youth were whisked away into the Enchanted Forest this month, with local Moose Lodge #808 hosting a night of dancing and revelry in honor of an age-old adolescent right-of-passage, prom.

Looking for some family fun for Easter? Hop over to Simkins Park

Anyone looking for a fun, family-friendly festivity to enjoy this holiday can hop on over to Simkins Park to join the Mills family as they celebrate Easter Sunday with worship music, free food and an enormous 14,000-egg hunt that is sure to bring a smile to hundreds of faces.

Campground fees to increase at Death Valley National Park

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. — Visitors to Death Valley National Park can expect a slight increase in entrance fees for various campgrounds beginning on May 1.

Clerk staffer Cori Freidhof appointed interim leader

Nye County Clerk Mark Kampf’s time in office officially comes to a close on March 31 and deputy clerk Cori Freidhof has now been selected to assume that vacated seat. Freidhof will take over the office as of Monday, April 1 and fulfill the unexpired term ending Jan. 1, 2027.

Gaming can have impact on us

When does gaming cross the line from recreational relaxation to problematic behavior? How do video games and gambling relate? What resources are available for those who find themselves struggling to control their relationship with video games and gambling?

County eyeing impact fee increases

The cost to develop in Pahrump could go up, with a public hearing on a proposal to raise local impact fees set for next month.

Here’s who filed as political candidates in Nye County

Locals have filed their political candidacy as of March 15 and this year two major offices in Nye County will be up for grabs in the general election. Nye County residents have to first narrow down their preferred party candidate on June 11 in the primary and then vote in November to support their preferred candidates.