Key figures in Bridgeport ballot tampering scandal reject plea deals
The scandal led to a redo of both the 2023 Democratic primary and general elections for mayor.
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Both former Bridgeport Democratic Town Committee vice chair Wanda Geter-Pataky and current City Council member Alfredo Castillo rejected plea deals from the State of Connecticut Tuesday, in connection to their alleged role’s in a ballot-tampering scandal during the city’s 2023 mayoral election.
Both campaigned for current Mayor Joe Ganim, and Geter-Pataky was allegedly caught on camera stuffing piles of ballots into drop boxes. The judge said if found guilty of all charges, she would face a maximum of 500 years in jail.
Meanwhile, Castillo is accused of filling out the ballot of another person. The judge said he could be sentenced to up to 165 years.
“It doesn't even seem real, it seems incredibly surreal as a matter of fact,” said attorney Frank Riccio, who is representing Castillo. “Those are numbers that are reserved for those that are convicted of violent crime."
The state offered Geter-Pataky a plea deal for 8 years in jail and the chance to get out after three years, with three years probation.
Castillo was offered the same deal, but with the chance to get out after 2.5 years.
Both turned the offers down.
"We’ve had many discussions (with the defendants) including up to yesterday about possible alternative resolutions for the defendant, but the state was not amenable to any of the (defendants’) suggestions,” Amy Bepko, the assistant state’s attorney said in court.
"We've certainly not had a meeting of the minds,” agreed Geter-Pataky’s attorney John Gulash, after the appearance had ended.
Riccio has told News 12 all along that jail time would more or less be a non-starter for any plea deal.
“These charges have never been prosecuted in the state of Connecticut before.” he said. “There was one time, where after trial, it resulted in a fine."
That being said, there may never have been a case this high-profile, with the scandal leading to a redo of both the 2023 Democratic primary and general election for mayor, while generating national headlines.
“The politically charged atmosphere really does a disservice to those that are charged in this case,” Riccio said.
The plea rejection means things would now head to a trial, which both lawyers said was unlikely to start until some time next year.
“There’s always a chance to resolve the case, I think all parties are looking to resolve the case,” Gulash said.
“If we can resolve it, and do away with what could be a spectacle of a trial, we would love to do that,” agreed Riccio. “But if trial is the only option, we're ready."
