Newport Refers Matos' Ballot Signatures to Police for Criminal Investigation UPDATED

Newport Refers Matos' Ballot Signatures to Police for Criminal Investigation UPDATED

Investigations into signatures submitted by first Congressional candidate Sabina Matos' campaign have now expanded -- as well as criminal referrals. 

On Wednesday, the City of Newport told GoLocal that three of the signatures submitted Matos' campaign have been referred to the Newport Police Department for a criminal investigation. 

According to the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s Office, Matos had garnered a reported 729 validated signatures (500 are required to be on the ballot) by end of day on Tuesday -- the last day for signatures to be validated.

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"Matos submitted 32 signatures [in Newport]. 14 were rejected outright, and 3 were referred to the Newport Police Department," Tom Shevlin with the City of Newport told GoLocal on Wednesday morning. 

In April, GoLocal was first to report that Matos had falsely claimed 31 endorsements, when six did not actually endorse her. 

"While it is clear we have submitted more than enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, I am deeply troubled by what has been reported in the news. Anyone who violated the law should be held accountable and will have no role on my campaign," said Matos in a statement from the campaign on Wednesday afternoon. 

 

 

Latest Matos' Congressional Campaign 

The Newport criminal referral marks the latest in the investigations into Matos' signatures.

As first reported by WPRI, there is also a criminal investigation, prompted by the Jamestown Board of Canvassers, into the validity and legality of a number of Matos’ purported signatures in Jamestown — and her opponents jumped on the issue.  

 “As a Jamestown voter, I am stunned that Lt. Governor Sabina Matos’s campaign submitted fraudulent nomination papers to the Jamestown Board of Canvassers. We should all be deeply concerned by this betrayal of the electoral process,” said Don Carlson. “This calculated pattern of deception began with her false endorsements - Rhode Islanders deserve better.”

“Hearing of the investigation into fraudulent signatures. Free and fair elections are the foundation of every healthy democracy. I trust the local Board of Canvassers will perform their due diligence to find the truth, hold those accountable, and uphold the integrity of this election for the people of Rhode Island’s first district,” said Walter Berbrick. 

 

Signatures on Ballot

A total of 15 candidates in the special Rhode Island Congressional election garnered the required number of validated signatures to be on the primary ballots.

Democrats:

Gabe Amo 
Nick Autiello*
Stephanie Beauté
Walter Berbrick
Sandra Cano
Don Carlson
Stephen Casey 
Spencer Dickinson
John Goncalves
Sabina Matos
Ana Quezada 
Aaron Regunberg
Allen Waters 

*Autiello announced Wednesday he is quitting the race. 

 

GOP:

Terry Flynn
Gerry Leonard

Article first published 7/19/2023 12:22 PM

Updated 7/19/2023 4:48 PM