[Fox 16] A Democratic state politician from east Arkansas, his father and two campaign workers pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiracy to commit election fraud after federal prosecutors said the politician's campaign bribed absentee voters and destroyed ballots in a special election last year.But wait! That never happens! They told us that doesn't happen!... Oh. Wait. No they didn't. They just said it doesn't represent a problem... I think I understand now....
Prosecutors said Democratic Rep. Hudson Hallum of Marion, Kent Hallum, Phillip Wayne Carter and Sam Malone acknowledged that they participated in a conspiracy to bribe voters to influence absentee votes in the Arkansas District 54 primary, runoff and general elections in 2011. The four were released pending a sentencing hearing.
"In a nation in which every person's vote matters, protecting the integrity of the electoral process from those who seek to win office by cheating the system is critical," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Duke said in a statement released by her office. "Voter fraud schemes such as that carried out in the 2011 District 54 race have the devastating effect of eroding public confidence in elected officials and disenfranchising voters."
A Democratic Party spokeswoman said Hallum indicated he would step down from his seat, but Gov. Mike Beebe had not received a formal resignation by Wednesday afternoon.
Hallum didn't respond to phone messages from The News Agency that Dare Not be Named seeking comment, and House Speaker Robert Moore said he has not heard from the politician. But in an email sent to other Democratic politicians, Hallum apologized for his actions.
"I took some bad advice that led to some bad decisions on my part. I am going to stand up and accept full responsibility for my actions," Hallum wrote. "I am truly sorry because I know this news will have an effect on everyone's upcoming race."