CAMDEN, N.J. – MD Hossain Morshed, a 50-year-old former councilman from Atlantic City, admitted to submitting false voter registrations in federal court today. His plea was entered before Chief U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb, acknowledging his role in a fraudulent scheme aimed at manipulating election outcomes.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger highlighted the gravity of Morshed’s actions, stating they were intended to undermine the fairness of New Jersey’s electoral process. The case revealed Morshed’s attempts to secure votes through deceit, emphasizing the commitment of law enforcement to protect the integrity of elections.
In the lead-up to the June 2019 primary election, Morshed provided a prospective voter with a pre-filled New Jersey voter registration application containing false residency information to qualify for voting in the Fourth Ward, the area Morshed represented. Despite the voter’s actual residence being elsewhere, Morshed encouraged the submission of this application and a subsequent vote-by-mail application, leading to the counting of the falsified ballot in the election. The voter later denied receiving or completing the mail-in ballot, a fact revealed during recorded conversations with Morshed.
The collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, local and state police, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, were pivotal in bringing Morshed to justice. Sentencing is scheduled for July 16, 2024, marking a significant step towards addressing electoral fraud.