A California city council member was arrested last week in connection with voter fraud during the 2020 election, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.
Shakir Khan of Lodi was arrested Thursday, according to CBS.
As SFGate reported:
Shakir Khan, who has represented the city’s District 4 since taking office in November 2020, was arrested on suspicion of a variety of offenses, including causing/procuring/allowing false voter registration of self or another person, submission of fraudulent candidacy petition, aiding/abetting the commission of fraud at any election, and the subscription of fictitious names to nomination petitions.
Khan is also accused of false nomination/declaration of candidacy, fraudulently casting votes, and procuring/assisting/counseling/advising another not qualified to vote.
The Sheriff’s Office said they could arrest because of Khan’s ongoing investigation and because some county residents were concerned about the election process.
In 2021, Khan and his brother, Zakir Khan, were arrested and arraigned on over 50 counts related to illegal gambling, money laundering, unemployment claim fraud, and tax invasion.
“Our investigation uncovered that councilman Shakir Khan has attempted to undermine, manipulate, and violate one of our most fundamental rights here in our county…and that is the right to free and fair elections,” said Sheriff Patrick Withrow, who added that it appeared the councilman targeted members of his own Pakistani community.
“It appears to councilman Shakir Khan has targeted members of his own community, our Pakistani community in the north county. And we are doing everything we can to work with them to make sure that they are protected,” he said.
The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation that led them to Khan began in 2019, when they started to see a spike in criminal activity on the Waterloo corridor in east Stockton.
A series of illegal internet gambling locations were found, including the American Smokers Club that was owned by Shakir Khan.
Khan was already facing charges from 2021 for money laundering, tax evasion, unemployment claim fraud, and gambling.
Voter fraud
A search of Khan’s home related to another investigation found 41 sealed and completed mail-in ballots.
“When we saw this, we thought that something was off here, and we didn’t know we had a crime at this particular point because there was a recent change in election law, and people can turn in ballots on behalf of another,” Capt. Art Harty of the sheriff’s office said.
As The Western Journal reported: the sheriff’s office alleged there were 23 names registered to vote using Khan’s address as theirs. Deputies said 47 other people allegedly used Khan’s email and phone number, even though they were listed as living at different addresses.
Deputies said there were signature verification issues on the petitions Khan used to get on the ballot, saying signatures filed on the petitions did not match those on file with the state Department of Motor Vehicles.
Deputies also allege they were told by some individuals that Khan signed their ballots and that some people who do not even live in the U.S. voted for Khan.
Deputies allege Khan posted a social media video telling those who might be interviewed to “say that you filled out your ballot if you are questioned.”
Although Lodi Mayor Mikey Hothi has said he secured Khan’s signature to a resignation letter while Khan was in jail, Khan, after his release, said he is not stepping down.
“I did not resign my city council seat,” Khan told KCRA-TV. “I will continue to serve the people that I love in my district and my community. My family and myself, we are going through some hard times right now, and we are looking forward to fighting these charges,” Khan said.
Allen Sawyer, Khan’s attorney, said if Lodi “attempts to enforce what I think is a bogus resignation, they’re gonna enter into significant federal litigation.”
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