Delco Man Charged With Voter Fraud: District Attorney

A Delaware County man who admitted to authorities that he forged signatures of deceased people on absentee ballots is now facing voter fraud charges, according to authorities.

District Attorney Katayoun M. Copeland said Tuesday that Harry Sandoe Maxwell, Jr., 79, of Collingdale, who surrendered to authorities on Nov. 19, on voter fraud charges.

Maxwell is facing charges of forgery, tampering with records, conspiracy, and violations of the elections code, all first-degree misdemeanor charges.

Maxwell was released on $20,000 unsecured bail and is set to appear for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 4, court records show.

On Oct. 26, an investigation was launched by the Delaware County District Attorney’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Special Investigations Unit into possible voter fraud.

Detectives Robert Lythgoe and Lisa DeMartini met with the Chief Clerk of the Delaware County Bureau of Elections, who reported that their office received an application for an absentee ballot on Oct. 25, for the General Election on Nov. 6, for an individual who was deceased.

Detectives confirmed with the Bucks County Coroner that this individual had passed away on April 23, 2017.

The address on the absentee ballot application of the decedent was listed as an address on the 100 block of Lafayette Avenue in Collingdale, which was owned by Harry S. Maxwell, Jr.

On Oct. 29, Lythgoe and DeMartini went to the residence of Harry Maxwell. Detectives informed him about their investigation into an absentee ballot application.

Maxwell immediately told authorities, "That's me, I'm guilty, I had someone sign the name."

He then gave detectives an audio recorded statement in which he said that he routinely picks-up "girls" in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia, and brings them back to his residence for the purpose of obtaining absentee ballot signatures from them. Additionally, he said that one of the women he brought back to his apartment, known only to him as Brooke, signed the name of the deceased individual on the absentee ballot application, at his request.

"Mr. Maxwell’s corrupt actions are an affront to democracy, as he violated one of our greatest privileges as citizens," Copeland said. "In order to assist in protecting the integrity of our electoral system and ensure that all Delaware County residents can cast their ballot unimpeded, my office will continue to do everything in its power to uncover voter fraud and bring to justice those who try to manipulate the outcome of elections in Delaware County. Any reported violation of election laws will be investigated and prosecuted. I would like to commend the Delaware County Bureau of Elections for finding and reporting this issue, and commend CID Detectives Robert Lythgoe and Lisa DeMartini for their swift investigation and arrest in this case."

Image via Delaware County District Attorney's Office