Pair Faked Voter Registrations In Minnesota, Took Payments From Nonprofit: Feds

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Two Nevada residents formerly from Minnesota, Ronnie Williams and Lorraine Lee Combs, have been charged with conspiring to commit voter registration fraud in the state, federal officials announced Friday.

According to court documents, from 2021 through 2022, Williams and Combs created fictitious names and personal information to fill out Minnesota voter registration applications.

They signed certification forms falsely attesting that the information was accurate, despite a warning that providing false information is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine, authorities said.

Williams then submitted the fraudulent forms to Foundation 1, an organization working to register voters in Minnesota. Foundation 1 passed the forms to county election offices across the state. Williams was paid for each registration and later split the proceeds with Combs, prosecutors said.

Williams is scheduled to appear for an arraignment and change of plea hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Laura M. Provinzino on July 8.

"Election fraud strikes at the heart of our democracy," said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.

"Thankfully, the FBI stopped this fraud in its tracks, before anyone successfully cast a fraudulent ballot. But we will stay vigilant. Whether its jury bribery, witness tampering, or now election fraud—crimes that threaten our democracy have no place in Minnesota."

"Nothing is more central to our democracy than fair and impartially conducted elections," said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis.

"Through their actions, Combs and Williams attempted to deprive the citizens of Minnesota of a secure and reliable election process. Along with our partners, the FBI will stop at nothing to identify and bring to justice anyone who threatens the security of our electoral system."

The case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office credited the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section, the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office, and the Carver County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance and cooperation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry M. Jacobs and Trial Attorney Jonathan Jacobson of the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case.