Funviralpark Former President Trump’s White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows will not be charged with voter fraud related to 2020 registration and absentee ballots in North Carolina, state attorney general says .
“The State Bureau of Investigation has conducted an extensive investigation into allegations of fraud against the Meadows regarding registration and voting in the 2020 election,” Attorney General Josh Stein said in a news release on Friday. “After a thorough investigation, my office has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to prosecute either of them in this matter.”
“Our conclusion is … they will help them if a lawsuit is brought against them that we do not believe can prove beyond reasonable doubt that they engaged in willful voter fraud. We had an argument that it would,” Stein, a Democrat, told the Associated Press on the same day.
The conclusion was reportedly based largely on the findings of a voter fraud investigation completed by the State Bureau of Investigation.
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Meadows, a Republican, first caught the attention of government lawyers when details surfaced that he had simultaneously registered to vote in North Carolina and two other states.
FILE – White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows speaks to reporters outside the White House in Washington, Oct. 26, 2020.
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
Public records show that when Meadows registered to vote in September 2020, she listed a mobile home she doesn’t own in Scaly Mountain as her address.
He sent an absentee ballot in the November general election by mail.
The New Yorker first reported that the former property owner said Meadows’ wife had rented the property and had only stayed there for a night or two.
Election officials interpret state law to allow you to register for a “permanent residence” at least 30 days before an election.
In particular, filling out fraudulent or false registration forms is a minor felony.
In a memo to Stein, the prosecutor, who recommended not pursuing the charges, said within his department that Meadows and his wife had signed a one-year lease for the Scaly Mountain residence provided by the landlord. He said he had evidence that he did.
FILE – Dec. 7, 2022 North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein addresses the Supreme Court in Washington.
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
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Call records show that Debra Meadows was in and around Scaly Mountain in October 2020 and was eligible for a residence exception under state law because her husband was on public business in Washington, DC.
Mark Meadows was “almost certainly not physically present at the Scaly Mountain address,” but the memo noted, “The factors favorable to residency in Macon County outweigh those unfavorable to residency.” ” is written.
According to public records, Meadows was registered to vote in Virginia in 2021 and in South Carolina in March 2022 after he and his wife purchased a home.
Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and his wife Debbie Meadows at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, January 20, 2021.
(Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images)
The memo said Mark and Debra Meadows declined to be interviewed by the State Bureau of Investigation.
Ben Williamson, a spokesperson for Mark Meadows, said in a message to the press that he had no comment on Stein’s decision.
Meadows repeatedly made unsubstantiated allegations of widespread voter fraud before and after the 2020 general election.
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Election officials from both parties, along with the judge and Trump’s own attorney general, have concluded that there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election.
“None of the issues related to January 6, however, relate to the specific allegations of voter fraud regarding Mr. and Mrs. Meadows, which have been referred to my office for investigation,” Stein said in a statement. “My office has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond reasonable suspicion against Mr. or Mrs. Meadows, and therefore my office will not prosecute this case.” We reserve the right to reopen this matter should further information relating to the allegations come to light in the event of a subsequent investigation or prosecution by authorities in other jurisdictions.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
