SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) – Former Arroyo Grande Mayoral candidate Gaea Edde Powell was convicted of nine counts related to election fraud.
Following the ten-day trial jury, Powell was convicted of the following eight felonies and one misdemeanor by a San Luis Obispo County jury:
Felony Voter Registration Fraud Felony Perjury by Declaration Felony Filing False Nomination or Declaration Papers Misdemeanor Failure to Provide Written Notification Under the Political Reform Act Felony Fraudulent Voting in the November 8, 2022, Election Felony Fraudulent Voting in the March 5, 2024, Election Felony Perjury by Declaration Felony Filing False Nomination or Declaration Papers Felony Fraudulent Voting in the November 5, 2024, ElectionPowell waived her right to counsel and represented herself during the trial.
Deputy District Attorney Ben Blumenthal shared with jurors during closing arguments, "This is not about left versus right or right versus left. This is about what is right and wrong."
According to evidence presented at the trial, Powell registered to vote using an address on James Way in Arroyo Grande city limits on July 12, 2022.
The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney's Office noted that Powell declared in paperwork that the James Way address was her residence multiple times including: in a declaration signed under penalty of perjury on July 18, 2022; in nomination paperwork and a declaration of candidacy filed on Aug. 8, 2022; in a declaration under penalty of perjury on July 16, 2024; and in nomination papers filed on Aug. 1, 2024.
Powell also voted on ballots mailed to that same address in November 2022, March 2024, and November 2024, added the local prosecutor's office.
Prosecutors shared evidence with the jurty that between 2022 and 2024, Powell exclusively resided at a home on Heritage Lane, outside of Arroyo Grande city limits.
Under state law, a person can only registered at their home and voters can only register at one domicile at a time noted the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney's Office.
On June 30, 2022, the Arroyo Grande City Clerk informed Powell that people residing outside of the Arroyo Grande city limits were not eligible to run for public office in the city noted prosecutors.
On July 18 of the same year, the same office shared with Powell that campaign finance reporting requirements triggered when a campaign raises or spends $2000 or more stated the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney's Office.
Afterwards, Powell filed a short-form statement that indicated she did not intend to raise or spend $2000 or more noted prosecutors.
Despite that statement, Powell spent more than $2000 dollars on campaign mailers, never filed an amended notification, and denied any knowledge of the mailers when contacted by the state's Fair Political Practices Commission explained the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney's Office.
The Probation Department will prepare a pre-sentence report with a sentencing recommendation for the court to review ahead of Powell's sentencing hearing currently scheduled for Oct. 19 of this year shared the local prosecutor's office.
"I am grateful for the hard work this jury put into a case that stretched over several weeks. They listened carefully to every witness and did the hard work our system asks of ordinary citizens," stated District Attorney Dan Dow. "This case is about accountability under the law for everyone, so that voters can have more trust in the election process. The integrity of our elections is paramount. This verdict makes clear that voters must register to vote in accordance with the law, and that potential candidates must be lawfully registered to vote in the jurisdiction where they intend to run for public office. Justice is blind. The law applies to everyone, no matter their status in the community and no matter their political affiliation, and every defendant will be treated fairly by this District Attorney's Office."
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