Pennsylvania Election Fraud: Harsher Sentences for Mayoral Race Schemers

In a stunning courtroom twist, two men in Pennsylvania’s Millbourne Borough were handed stiffer prison sentences than prosecutors requested for their roles in a 2021 mayoral election fraud scheme. Former council vice president Md Nurul Hasan and ex-council member Md Rafikul Islam pleaded guilty to a slew of charges, including conspiracy and fraudulent voter registration, but their plot to rig the vote didn’t even pay off—Hasan still lost the race, 165 to 138.

Judge Harvey Bartle III didn’t hold back, slamming the duo for undermining democracy. "There are very few crimes more serious than what you’ve done," he told Hasan, sentencing him to 36 months in prison—well beyond the government’s 18-24 month recommendation. Hasan also faces a $3,300 fine and a year of supervised release. Islam got 12 months and one day, exceeding the zero-to-six-month suggestion, plus a $1,000 fine.

The scheme involved falsifying voter registrations, a desperate bid to sway a small-town election that ultimately failed. A third council member, Md Munsur Ali, also pleaded guilty to similar charges and awaits sentencing next week. This case exposes the fragility of trust in local elections and raises questions about how such brazen attempts go undetected until it’s too late.