Former Dem congressman pleads guilty to orchestrating ballot-stuffing scheme to benefit Democrats

Disgraced former Democratic congressman Michael "Ozzie" Myers has pleaded guilty to ballot stuffing in multiple elections.

Myers was infamously expelled from the House of Representatives — the only member of Congress to be expelled in the 20th century — in 1980 after being caught up in a bribery scandal. He was later convicted of bribery and conspiracy, and he was sentenced to three years in prison.

Michael Myers after he was expelled from Congress in October 1980 (Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images)

What are the details?

The Justice Department announced on Monday Myers, now 79 years old, pleaded to conspiracy to deprive voters of civil rights, bribery, obstruction of justice, falsification of voting records, and conspiring to illegally vote in a federal election.

According to the DOJ, Myers "orchestrat[ed] schemes to fraudulently stuff the ballot boxes for specific Democratic candidates in the 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 Pennsylvania elections."

An unsealed indictment against Myers explains

As a political consultant, defendant MYERS held himself out as an effective and successful political operative capable of ensuring his clients' electoral success. Defendant MYERS exercised influence and control in Philadelphia's 39th Ward by distributing cash payments and supporting family, friends, and allies for elective office in the 39th Ward, and installing Ward Leaders, Judges of Elections, and Democratic State Committee Persons.

Through the scheme described below, MYERS advanced his political and financial interests through fraudulent and corrupt means by engaging in a "ballot stuffing" scheme that enabled him to take credit for the electoral success of his Philadelphia based clients and preferred candidates, secure his standing in local party politics that enabled him to control and influence the 39th Ward, and influence the distribution of local patronage jobs.

In a particularly brutal reminder of his past, FBI special agent in charge Jacqueline Maguire said Myers' latest crime spree is indicative of who he is as a person.

"One thing you can say about Ozzie Myers: his values have long been out of whack," she said. "Decades ago, he valued a fake sheikh’s bribes more than the ethical obligations of his elected federal office.

"This time around, he valued his clients’ money and his own whims more than the integrity of multiple elections and the will of Philadelphia voters," Maguire added. "Free and fair elections are critical to the health of our democracy, which is why protecting the legitimacy of the electoral process at every level is such a priority for the FBI.”