FBI charges four non-citizens in New Jersey with illegal voting
In a significant move to combat illegal voting, FBI Director Kash Patel is taking firm action following the indictment of four non-citizens in New Jersey. Meanwhile, New York Governor Kathy Hochul is advocating for proposals that challenge the operations of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These proposals aim to restrict police cooperation with ICE and permit legal action against federal agents. However, not everyone is on board with these changes. Retired NYPD Inspector Paul Mauro has voiced his concerns, arguing that such measures could be unconstitutional and might disrupt long-standing collaborations crucial to law enforcement effectiveness.
In a related development, federal prosecutors have brought to light a case involving a Canadian man residing illegally in Massachusetts. This individual allegedly participated in multiple federal and state elections by misrepresenting his citizenship status. The man, Sunny Manhertz, who is a lawful permanent U.S. resident, is accused of registering to vote in Saugus, Massachusetts, and casting ballots unlawfully in a series of elections spanning from 2008 to 2024, according to the Justice Department.
Manhertz faces serious legal repercussions, with charges including one count of unlawful voting by an alien and another for the procurement, casting, or tabulation of ballots known to be materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent under state law.
He made an appearance in a federal courtroom in Boston on Tuesday to address these charges. The allegations specify that Manhertz, 40, falsely affirmed his citizenship on a Massachusetts voter registration form by marking “Yes” to the question, “Are you a Citizen of the United States of America?” This case underscores the ongoing challenges in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
He appeared in a Boston federal courtroom Tuesday.
Sunny Manhertz, 40, allegedly checked “Yes” on a Massachusetts registration form that asked “Are you a Citizen of the United States of America?” (Justice Department)
On March 1, 2016, Manhertz submitted a Massachusetts Official Voter Registration Form under his own name. On the form, he checked “Yes” in response to the question, “Are you a Citizen of the United States of America?” according to charging documents.
Despite his non-citizen status, he continued to represent himself as a “qualified voter” by signing nomination papers for political candidates as recently as 2026, authorities said.
Manhertz, 40, became a permanent U.S. resident in 1987 but never applied for citizenship, court documents state.
People fill out their ballots at Cathedral High School in Boston, Mass., on Nov. 8, 2022. A Canadian man living in Massachusetts admitted to illegally voting in multiple local and federal elections since 2008, the Justice Department said. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP)
On Feb. 13, 2019, he allegedly submitted an application to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to replace his permanent resident card.
In response to a question regarding his legal status, Manhertz allegedly checked the box stating that he was a “Lawful Permanent Resident.” According to Saugus records, Manhertz has voted in multiple federal elections, including the 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024 elections.
When questioned by investigators outside his home on May 11, Manhertz allegedly admitted to filling out the 2016 voter registration form and voting in elections since 2008.
To confirm his participation in the most recent election, authorities obtained cell site records from his cellular provider.
Voters cast ballots during early voting at the Board of Elections Loop Super Site in Chicago, Ill., on Oct. 4, 2024. (KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
The records tracked his phone’s location, showing it “pinged” off towers near his assigned polling station on Nov. 5, 2024, prosecutors said.
Manhertz faces up to six years in prison.
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