HARRISBURG, Pa. — State prosecutors have filed criminal charges against six canvassers and a field director accused of submitting falsified voter registration forms across several Pennsylvania counties ahead of the 2024 General Election.
Attorney General Dave Sunday said the charges stem from a large-scale investigation into voter registration submissions made in Berks, Lancaster, and York counties.
Officials allege that thousands of forms were delivered near the voter registration deadline, with several flagged by county election offices for inconsistencies or unverifiable information.
The company has been identified as Field and Media Corps, owned by Mesa, Arizona Vice-Mayor and Democrat Francisco Heredia. Although the company was named in the initial 2024 claims by the state, it does not appear at this time that Heredia was charged in today’s announcement.
Key Points
- Six canvassers and a field director were charged for falsifying voter registration forms in multiple Pennsylvania counties.
- Investigators determined the motive was financial gain, not political influence.
- County election officials cooperated fully, ensuring no impact on the integrity of election results.
Investigation uncovered falsified forms across several counties
The investigation revealed that many of the forms submitted by the charged individuals contained fabricated or unverifiable data, preventing county officials from approving them. County offices flagged suspicious forms while processing legitimate applications through verification systems designed to detect inconsistencies.
Attorney General Sunday’s office reviewed thousands of documents and conducted interviews statewide, working closely with affected election departments to trace the fraudulent submissions. Officials emphasized that the alleged crimes were not politically driven but rather an attempt to meet employment quotas and secure continued pay.
Motive tied to financial incentives, not political bias
According to prosecutors, the defendants—working under the direction of field organizer Guillermo Sainz—were allegedly incentivized to meet registration targets. Sainz has been charged with three counts of solicitation of registration under Pennsylvania’s Election Code, which prohibits offering financial rewards based on registration numbers.
Attorney General Sunday said the operation gathered voter registrations from individuals of all party affiliations. “The motive behind these crimes was personal financial gain, not an organized effort to influence any election,” Sunday stated. He added that the election system functioned properly and that county officials’ verification processes prevented false registrations from entering the rolls.
Charges filed against multiple canvassers
The six canvassers charged are identified as Amos Clay, Joseph Jameson, Anya McCurdy, Meghan McDevitt, Richard Perez, and Samantha Szukiewicz. Each faces counts including unsworn falsification, tampering with public records, forgery, and violations of Pennsylvania’s Voter Registration laws. Szukiewicz faces an additional charge of identity theft.
Charges were formally filed Friday before Magisterial District Judge John Bender. The Attorney General’s Office also extended assistance to Monroe County officials regarding similar suspected activity.
Ongoing investigation into election integrity
Authorities said the investigation remains active, with potential additional charges possible as evidence is reviewed. Sunday reiterated his office’s commitment to safeguarding Pennsylvania’s election integrity, noting that local election offices played a vital role in identifying discrepancies and maintaining public trust.
“My office will continue to protect every citizen’s right to a free, fair, and transparent election process,” Sunday said.