Former Bridgeport Councilman Receives Sentence for Election Fraud Offenses in Connecticut
Democrat Michael DeFilippo received a sentence that included a year of probation, three weekends of incarceration, and a $15,000 fine.
Ex-Bridgeport city councilman Michael DeFilippo, a Democrat from Connecticut, was sentenced to three weekends of incarceration on Nov. 21 in relation to federal election fraud charges.
DeFilippo, 38, admitted guilt to completing voter registrations and absentee ballot applications and instructing tenants in his apartment buildings to sign them.
Critics, including attorney Kenneth J. Krayeske, argue that the punishment is too lenient and should include a ban on holding public office again.
Krayeske is representing Nilsa Heredia, 61, who faced charges of absentee ballot fraud in the 2019 Bridgeport mayoral election.
DeFilippo, indicted in 2021 on multiple election fraud charges, pleaded guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law.
Linda Szynkowicz, founder of Fight Voter Fraud (FVF), criticized the light sentence, suggesting that the state lacks priority in prosecuting voter fraud cases.
DeFilippo did not respond to requests for comment and is not barred from seeking public office in the future.
Cameron Atkinson, an election law attorney, highlighted the lack of deterrence in DeFilippo’s sentence and referenced a similar case with Bridgeport’s current mayor, Joe Ghanim.
The offenses stem from DeFilippo’s 2017 and 2018 run for Bridgeport City Council while serving as a council member.
The FBI investigated the Bridgeport case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan N. Francis and Heather L. Cherry.
DeFilippo was accused of forging signatures and submitting fraudulent documents to election officials on behalf of tenants in his buildings.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, DeFilippo’s actions deprived tenants of their right to vote and impacted election results.
DeFilippo’s sentence prompts discussions about election fraud and the need for stronger enforcement of election laws.
Heredia’s election fraud case is scheduled to continue in court on Dec. 11, with allegations of improper advising of voters on absentee ballots and tampering with a witness.
Krayeske claims that Heredia was following orders as a campaign worker in a culture of the Democratic Party in Bridgeport.
Calls for public campaign financing and reforming the Democratic Party’s power structure in Connecticut’s largest cities have been raised in response to these cases.
