Paterson Council President Faces Expanded Voter Fraud Case

Paterson City Council President Alex Mendez, his wife Yohanny, and three campaign associates have been indicted on new charges of voter fraud related to the May 2020 all-mail municipal election, in which Mendez defeated incumbent William McKoy by just nine votes. Prosecutors allege the group stole and destroyed ballots not supporting Mendez, forged ballots and registrations, and submitted fraudulent votes. The investigation began after hundreds of suspicious ballots were found in a Haledon mailbox. Ninoska Adames is also charged, accused of hindering apprehension and providing false information to investigators. The case includes charges of witness tampering, theft, forgery, falsifying public records, and receiving stolen property. If convicted, the main charges carry potential prison sentences of five to ten years.