Three women who tried to trade $20 Shop-Rite gift cards for vote-by-mail ballots in the Perth Amboy municipal election last year have been indicted, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced today.
The indictment charges Ana Camillo, Annet Sanchez and Maria Peralta with bribery, witness tampering and election law violations.
Camillo, who was working for city council candidate Jeannette Rios, allegedly attempted to bribe an undercover detective posing as a Perth Amboy voter. The grand jury indictment alleges that Sanchez and Perala harassed a witness who had provided information to investigators about Camillo.
The prosecutor’s office received word of Camilo’s actions on October 17 and sent an undercover officer to investigate; posing as a Perth Amboy voter, the officer allowed Camilo to fill out their absentee ballot and received a $20 gift card in return.
Camilo was arrested immediately afterwards, with the absentee ballot still in her possession.
New Jersey does not permit individuals to offer gifts or other inducements in exchange for votes.
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