FBI Charges Four Noncitizens in New Jersey for Illegal Voting
The FBI has initiated legal action against four noncitizens in New Jersey concerning illegal voting practices. This crackdown comes as FBI Director Kash Patel takes a tougher stance on the issue. Meanwhile, New York Governor Cathy Hochul is advocating for measures against ICE, which includes limiting police cooperation and allowing lawsuits against federal agents. Some, like former NYPD Lieutenant Paul Mauro, express concerns that these measures might be unconstitutional and could undermine vital interagency collaboration.
In a related case, federal prosecutors have charged a Canadian man residing in Massachusetts for allegedly lying about his citizenship and voting unlawfully in several elections.
Sunny Manhertz, a legal permanent resident, is accused of registering to vote in Saugus, Massachusetts, and participating in elections spanning from 2008 to 2024. He faces one count of illegal voting and another for submitting fraudulent ballots under state law. He made his first appearance in federal court in Boston on Tuesday.
Noncitizen Admits to Voting Mistake in 2024 Minnesota Election
On March 1, 2016, Manhertz submitted a voter registration form, incorrectly claiming he was a U.S. citizen. Records indicate he supported political candidates by signing nomination papers up until 2026, despite being a noncitizen. Having become a permanent resident in 1987, he never pursued citizenship, according to court documents.
In 2019, Manhertz applied to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to renew his permanent resident card and again marked himself as a “lawful permanent resident.” He has voted in multiple major elections since 2008, clearly running afoul of the law.
When investigators approached him on May 11, he acknowledged his false voter registration and admitted to voting in those elections. Authorities verified his voting history using cell phone location records, which placed his phone near his polling location on November 5, 2024.
If convicted, Manhertz could face a prison sentence of up to six years.
