Ehrlich Aide Guilty of Election Fraud

Paul Schurick, campaign manager for Arbutus native and former Gov. Robert Ehrlich, was convicted by a jury on Dec. 6 on two counts of conspiracy to violate election laws and two counts of election fraud.

Schurick was convicted for authorizing automated Election Day "robocalls" that prosecutors said were an attempt to suppress African American voter turnout during the 2010 gubernatorial election, Reuters reported.

According to prosecutors, robocalls were made to more than 100,000 Democratic votors in Baltimore City and Prince George's County--where the majority of Maryland's African American population lives--at around 6 p.m. on Election Day.

"Hello. I'm calling to let everybody know that Governor O'Malley and President Obama have been successful," a female voice said during the call. "Our goals have been met. The polls were correct, and we took it back. We're OK. Relax. Everything's fine. The only thing left is to watch it on TV tonight. Congratulations, and thank you."

Schurick faces up to 12 years in prison when sentenced in February.