(José Niño, Headline USA) A federal grand jury in Minnesota returned two charges against Mukeshkumar Somabhai Chaudhari, an Indian national accused of falsely claiming American citizenship so he could participate in the November 5, 2024 general election. The Justice Department announced the indictment through its Office of Public Affairs last Thursday.
According to the Justice Department, the indictment alleges that Chaudhari signed a voter signature certificate required by Minnesota law on or about Election Day. The document required him to swear or affirm that he held United States citizenship. Prosecutors allege that he knew he was not a citizen when he made that declaration and did so to vote.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division emphasized the importance of limiting election participation to eligible citizens.
“The right to vote is a sacred privilege of American citizenship, and every lawful voter deserves an election system in which that right is protected,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Department will hold accountable those who knowingly make false claims of citizenship in order to vote. The integrity of our elections depends on ensuring that only eligible citizens cast ballots and that every lawful vote is counted.”
The DOJ charged Chaudhari with providing false information in voting under 52 U.S.C. § 21144(b), which incorporates 18 U.S.C. § 1015(f). Prosecutors also charged him with falsely claiming citizenship to register or vote under 18 U.S.C. § 1015(f). Each count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison upon conviction.
A federal judge would set any sentence after reviewing the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other factors established by law. The stated maximum penalties do not amount to a prediction of the sentence Chaudhari would receive if convicted.
Homeland Security Investigations is leading the investigation with support from the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office. Trial Attorneys Flavio Abreu and William Rubens of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.
The DOJ stressed that the indictment contains allegations rather than a finding of guilt. “An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
José Niño is the deputy editor of Headline USA. Follow him at x.com/JoseAlNino
