Virginia: politician exonerated in election fraud case
The Roanoke Times reports: A small-town politician accused of cheating his way to a two-vote victory on Election Day got the 12 votes he wanted Tuesday — from a jury.
The Scott County jury acquitted Charles Dougherty of two counts of election fraud that stemmed from his aggressive courting of absentee voters in the disputed election for mayor of Gate City in May 2004.
A clearly relieved Dougherty was surrounded by friends and family members following the verdict, which came after a day of testimony in which one voter said the ex-mayor paid her $7 for a pint of liquor in exchange for her vote.
Dougherty’s relief may be short-lived; he still faces another 35 counts of election fraud. -- Gate City politician acquitted of vote fraud
"Agressive courting of absentee voting"? Should all politicians be meek and mild in seeking votes?