Jury finds Harry Wait guilty of 3 counts in election fraud case
RACINE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Harry Wait has been found guilty on three of the four counts in his election fraud case.
The jury found Wait guilty of two misdemeanor counts of election fraud against both Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Racine Mayor Cory Mason. He was also found guilty of one felony count of identity theft against Mason. Wait was not found guilty of a felony count of identity theft against Robin Vos.
The jury deliberated for more than three hours Tuesday evening.
Wait had admitted to requesting absentee ballots using the identities of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Racine Mayor Cory Mason, claiming he did it to expose vulnerabilities in the system. But the state charged him with four counts, two of them felonies.
Wait took the stand Tuesday afternoon in his own defense. He always admitted he requested the ballots, but his defense is that he never intended to break the law.
Wait repeatedly testified he never thought he'd receive Vos and Mason's ballots, never intended to vote with them and did not personally benefit from his actions.
But the state conducted a lengthy cross-examination that was contentious throughout.
They drilled down the fact Wait knew it was wrong to request the ballots and that people who break the law should be punished.
Judge: "You swore or affirmed things that were not true, right?"
Wait: "Yes."
Judge: "And you have said, 'I'm guilty, I stand ready to be charged?'"
Wait: "Correct."
Judge: "You agree with me that people who harvest ballots should be held accountable?"
Wait: "Absolutely."
Judge: "What does holding them accountable mean to you?"
Wait: "Accountable means that you go to jail."
