Six more charged in LA voting probe

Federal prosecutors filed criminal charges against six additional Los Angeles County residents on Monday. The defendants, all lawful permanent residents, are accused of registering to vote and casting ballots while claiming to be U.S. citizens. They later denied those actions on their naturalization applications. This action expands an ongoing federal investigation into suspected illegal voting by noncitizens in California.

The six new defendants live in the Antelope and San Fernando valleys. The group includes a 43-year-old Philippine citizen from Palmdale, a 31-year-old Mexican national from Palmdale, and a 46-year-old Mexican citizen from Palmdale. Also charged are a 35-year-old Israeli national from West Hills, a 52-year-old Canadian citizen from Agua Dulce, and a 35-year-old Iranian national from Canoga Park. Under federal law, noncitizens holding green cards are generally prohibited from voting in federal elections.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli announced the charges in a statement. He stated that his office is pursuing these individuals for unlawfully registering and voting. Essayli noted that all 34 defendants charged in the probe to date were included on a list provided to California officials. He urged state leaders to cooperate with federal authorities to verify voter eligibility, claiming thousands of suspected noncitizens remain on the state's voter rolls. The Justice Department did not provide specific evidence for that estimate in its announcement.

Five of the six new defendants were arrested. Prosecutors said they are scheduled to make their initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. The department did not specify a date for the initial appearance of the sixth defendant. The total number of defendants in Operation Protect the Vote has now reached 34.

Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison if convicted of making false statements on their naturalization applications. The investigation continues as federal authorities review potential cases across the state.