Grimy Times has learned that Jerry Trabona, a former police chief in Amite City, Louisiana, has been sentenced to one year in prison for his role in a vote buying conspiracy.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Trabona, 73, and Kristian ‘Kris’ Hart, 50, a former Amite City councilmember, agreed to pay or offer to pay voters residing in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, for voting during the 2016 Open Primary Election and the 2016 Open General Election.
The vote buying scheme, which included the solicitation and hiring of individuals responsible for identifying potential voters, the transportation of those voters to the polls, and payment and offer of payment to the voters for voting, was uncovered during a federal investigation.
Trabona was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine in addition to serving his prison sentence.
On the same day, Sidney Smith, 69, an additional co-conspirator, was sentenced to four months in prison for his role in the scheme.
Two other Louisiana men, Calvin Batiste and Louis Ruffino, who previously pleaded guilty to their involvement in the vote buying scheme, will be sentenced at a later date.
Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr., U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams of the FBI New Orleans Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI New Orleans Field Office investigated the case.
Defendant: Jerry Trabona
Criminal Charges: Violating federal election laws as part of a conspiracy to pay, or offer to pay, voters for voting in a federal election.
City and State: Amite City, Louisiana
Date: [no specific date mentioned]
Sentence: One year in prison, $10,000 fine
Dollar Amounts: $10,000 fine
Related Federal Cases
- Jerry Trabona, Vote Buying, Louisiana 2016 · Oklahoma
- Roy Austin, Wire Fraud Conspiracy, Louisiana 2024 · Wisconsin
- Strain, Conspiracy and Work Release Program Bribery, Louisiana 2023 · Puerto Rico
- Zuahir Hamed, Conspiracy to Bribe a Public Official, Louisiana 2024 · Puerto Rico
- Mario Villegas-Vargas, Conspiracy to Commit Federal Funds Bribery, Louisiana 2024 · Puerto Rico
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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