Bridgeport Councilman Arrested Again for Absentee Ballot Fraud

BREAKING: Bridgeport City Councilman Alfredo Castillo has been arrested for the fourth time, facing serious allegations of absentee ballot fraud. The latest charge involves Castillo illegally possessing a woman’s absentee ballot during the recent municipal elections. He turned himself in at Troop G in Bridgeport on Wednesday, accompanied by his attorney, Frank Riccio. Castillo was released on a written promise to appear in court this Friday.

This urgent case has significant implications for the integrity of the electoral process in Connecticut, with Castillo already facing over 30 criminal charges linked to the state’s absentee ballot system. The allegations from the latest incident involve Angela King, who claims Castillo instructed her on how to vote and then took her ballot, assuring her he would mail it for her. In a shocking twist, she positively identified Castillo from a photo provided by investigators, stating, “100 percent he took my ballot.”

The investigation reveals that Castillo visited King in her East Washington Avenue apartment, where he not only took her absentee ballot but also assisted her in filling it out. According to the affidavit, King expressed doubts about her voting choice, confirming Castillo directed her vote. Investigators have also linked Castillo to video footage showing him at King’s residence, reinforcing the allegations against him.

Meanwhile, another witness, Anne Rodriguez, described a “chubby” man who similarly engaged her regarding her absentee ballot but failed to identify Castillo in a photo lineup. This inconsistency raises further questions about Castillo’s actions and the ongoing investigation into absentee ballot fraud in Bridgeport.

The State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) referred this case to the Chief State’s Attorney’s office, which is currently processing multiple cases of election fraud from the 2019 and 2023 elections. While several defendants, including Castillo, are scheduled to appear in court on December 11, the situation remains fluid as the state’s attorney’s office is reportedly beginning to offer plea deals to some defendants. However, Castillo, along with other key figures, is not expected to receive such offers due to the severity of their charges.

The implications of this investigation extend beyond Castillo, with the SEEC actively pursuing cases against 11 different defendants for election fraud. The urgency of these developments highlights the critical need for electoral integrity.

As this case unfolds, observers are left questioning the future of Castillo’s political career and the broader impact on trust in local elections. For now, Castillo’s legal team prepares for the upcoming court date while the community watches closely.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.