Federal Investigation Uncovers Illegal Voting in California
In a significant federal crackdown, three individuals from California have been charged as part of a broader investigation involving 28 residents accused of engaging in illegal voting and fraudulent voter registration. The investigation, known as “Operation Protect the Vote,” aims to address allegations of violations of federal election laws.
Details of the Charges
Among those charged is Giezell Viduya Adawag, a 41-year-old woman from Vacaville, who appeared in federal court on Monday. Adawag allegedly registered to vote and cast a ballot in the November 2024 general election while falsely claiming U.S. citizenship. She has been released on her own recognizance.
Additionally, two men from Sacramento, Juan Antonio Rivas García, 46, and Kamlesh Navnitlal Shah, 67, are accused of similar offenses. García reportedly claimed U.S. citizenship to register to vote in the 2018 and 2020 elections and also voted in 2022 and 2024. Shah allegedly cast his ballot on Election Day in November 2024, while also misrepresenting his citizenship.
According to the Justice Department, all 28 defendants are lawful permanent residents—commonly referred to as green card holders—who are not eligible to vote in federal elections due to their non-citizen status.
Statements from the Justice Department
Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter emphasized the commitment of the Department of Justice to pursue cases involving illegal voting. “This Department of Justice will not look the other way while non-citizens vote in federal elections,” McCotter stated.
Legal Defense and Community Reactions
Adawag’s attorney, Megan McLoughlin, expressed her concerns about the unusual nature of the case, stating, “This is the first time I’ve ever seen this type of charge. It’s really traumatizing and scary to be arrested when the marshals come to your door for any reason.” If convicted, Adawag faces a maximum of one year in federal prison.
In response to the federal actions, Giselle García, program director for the advocacy group NorCal Resist, accused federal agents of voter intimidation, pointing to their presence at a polling location in Sutter County. “The fact that these federal agents were present at a polling location with full uniforms with their bulletproof vests and masked up, that is absolutely intimidation,” García claimed.
California’s Response and Ongoing Investigation
The Justice Department revealed that the investigation involved cooperation among four U.S. attorneys’ offices in California. Federal prosecutors stated they had asked state officials to hold some ballots pending verifications of citizenship. However, California officials declined to collaborate, leading federal authorities to pursue a lawsuit aimed at blocking ballots they suspect were cast unlawfully. McCotter noted, “We asked California to work collaboratively on this and we never heard anything back.”
Nationwide Context
This case forms part of a larger trend, with the Justice Department reporting 112 arrests across the United States related to voting and registration offenses in recent weeks. In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the claims regarding widespread voter fraud, suggesting they are undermined by these statistics.
As this investigation unfolds, the implications for citizenship, voting rights, and election integrity continue to spark discussions across California and beyond.
