A Las Vegas man has been charged and fined $2,000 for voting twice in last year's elections by using his dead wife's ballot. A federal judge sentenced the man to probation Tuesday.
Donald "Kirk" Hartle faced two charges relating to voter fraud in the 2020 elections. Hartle pled guilty to one of the charges, admitting to voting more than once using his deceased wife's ballot. Hartle had reached a deal with prosecutors, which helped him avoid jail time.
"I would like to say that I accept full responsibility for my actions and regret them, and I'm thankful for your consideration," Hartle said.
Hartle's wife, Rosemarie, died in 2017 from breast cancer. Even though she had died, Rosemarie's name still appeared on the active voter's list, and a ballot under her name was issued in October 2020.
As part of the plea agreement, Hartle agreed to pay a $2,000 fine. The charge of conspiracy to vote more than once in the same election carries a maximum prison sentence of four years. Kirk Hartle can withdraw his guilty plea and instead plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of conspiracy to vote more than once in the same election if he stays out of trouble for a year.
The charges were brought following an investigation by the Secretary of State's Office, which investigates any allegations of voter fraud made by the Nevada Attorney General's Office.
Judge Carli Kierny said during the sentencing that the case only goes to prove that the country's voting system "actually works" as they were able to ultimately catch Hartle. Kierny also called the entire case a "cheap political stunt," given Hartle's continued to spread claims of how election fraud is widespread and pervasive.
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford said that while voter fraud is rare, its existence still undercuts the trust in the nation's election system. He added that Hartle's case is particularly shocking given that the offender is the one spreading inaccurate information about the elections.
There was no proof of significant voter fraud in audits and lawsuits filed in states, including Nevada. State officials in Nevada have remained silent about the continuing probes on alleged election fraud. The Secretary of State's Office indicated in April that 10 individuals may have voted twice in the state.
Hartle is the chief financial officer of Ahern Rentals, which was punished for breaking coronavirus regulations after hosting a rally for former President Donald Trump last September. In October, the umbrella firm organized a QAnon conference at the Ahern Hotel, which is just off the Las Vegas Strip.
