United States Attorney David Metcalf announced the sentencing of MD Munsur Ali, a Millbourne Borough Council member, to 21 months in prison for election fraud offenses. The sentence also includes one year of supervised release and a $2,500 special assessment. United States District Judge Harvey Bartle III handed down the sentence.
In February, Ali and co-conspirators MD Nurul Hasan and MD Rafikul Islam were charged with conspiracy to commit voter fraud, giving false information in registering to vote, and fraudulent voter registration. Their scheme aimed to influence Millbourne Borough’s 2021 mayoral election in favor of Hasan.
Ali pleaded guilty in April to all charges against him, which included one count of conspiracy and multiple counts related to voter registration fraud. Similarly, Hasan and Islam also pleaded guilty to their respective charges earlier this year. Last week, Judge Bartle sentenced Hasan to 36 months' imprisonment and Islam to 12 months and one day.
Court documents revealed that during the 2021 elections for mayor and other local positions, Hasan lost the primary but decided to run as a write-in candidate for the general election. Ali and Islam supported his campaign through fraudulent means.
The defendants admitted they conspired by obtaining personal identification information from non-Millbourne residents. They used this data on Pennsylvania's online voter registration system to falsely register these individuals as Millbourne voters. Fraudulent ballots were then cast in favor of Hasan.
Hasan conducted most of the fraudulent registrations using his business computer. He provided email addresses he controlled or those belonging to others who allowed their use knowingly. This deception involved nearly three dozen non-residents being falsely registered as voters.
Despite these efforts, Hasan lost the general election by approximately 165 votes to 138.
U.S. Attorney Metcalf emphasized the importance of public trust in electoral processes: "These defendants sabotaged the democratic will of their fellow citizens." Wayne A. Jacobs from FBI Philadelphia reiterated the commitment to protect electoral integrity: "The FBI remains unwavering... ensuring those who break these laws are held accountable."
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer acknowledged collaboration among agencies: "I appreciate the partnership between my office, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office."
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Delaware County District Attorney’s Office with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorney Mark B. Dubnoff.
