In short
- U.S. Department of Justice alleges one defendant voted illegally as recently as August 11, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Justice states the maximum fine for false claim of citizenship is $250,000.
What happened
On September 24, 2026, a federal grand jury indicted ten lawful permanent residents from various countries for voter fraud in Minnesota, including making false claims of citizenship and voting as aliens. All but one defendant have made their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elsa M. Bullard, with the last scheduled for September 30, 2026 in Massachusetts.
The charges include violations of 18 U.S.C. § 1015(f) and 18 U.S.C. § 611, carrying maximum penalties of five years imprisonment and $250,000 fine for false claims, and one year imprisonment and $100,000 fine for voting by aliens. The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Joseph S. Teirab.
Today's charges allege that ten foreign nationals committed voter fraud in Minnesota, one voting illegally as recently as this August's primary," said Attorney General Todd Blanche. "The law is clear, only American citizens may vote in American elections, and enforcing this law is fundamental to our democracy.
In numbers
- $250,000 maximum fine for false claim of citizenship
Named in this item
Organization, regulator US — —
Organization, regulator US — —
What compliance teams should check
- Review all client records for lawful permanent residents named: Bhator Konah Bryant, Edvile Vaidoto Edmunds, Joshua Frederick Kofi Edzie, Alan Barbu Kargbo, Paul Kras, Fadil Rasim Ozegovic, Aparecido Donizetti Padovan, Chris Adam Pettiquoi, Christian Liam Schenk, Hester Sophia Weihmann.
- Check for any transactions or account activity linked to Minnesota elections on November 8, 2022, October 18, 2024, October 23, 2024, November 5, 2024, and August 11, 2026.
- Flag and monitor for typologies involving false claims of citizenship and violations of 18 U.S.C. § 1015(f) and 18 U.S.C. § 611.
Why it matters
This case highlights the risk of identity fraud and illegal activity by lawful permanent residents, specifically in the context of elections. For AML/CFT compliance, it underscores the importance of verifying citizenship status and monitoring for false claims, as such actions may indicate broader fraudulent behavior or attempts to circumvent legal restrictions. The involvement of Homeland Security Investigations and the severe penalties attached to these charges signal heightened enforcement and scrutiny, making it essential for compliance officers to update controls and screening processes accordingly.
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