PHILADELPHIA, PA — Three current and former Millbourne public officials have pleaded guilty to election fraud charges stemming from a wide-ranging conspiracy to manipulate the 2021 general election for the borough’s mayoral post. The individuals, MD Nurul Hasan, 48, MD Munsur Ali, 48, and MD Rafikul Islam, 52, admitted to their roles in fraudulently registering nonresidents to vote and casting illegal mail-in ballots.
The pleas were entered on April 1 before U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle III, following a 33-count federal indictment earlier this year. U.S. Attorney David Metcalf detailed the charges, which included conspiracy to commit voter fraud, providing false information in voter registrations, and submitting fraudulent registration forms. The indictment revealed an organized effort to secure Hasan’s election as mayor, which ultimately failed.
Details of the Conspiracy
The facts, as outlined in court documents and admitted by the defendants, showed how Hasan, Ali, and Islam devised and executed a plan to fraudulently influence the results of Millbourne’s mayoral race. Hasan, who held the position of vice president of the borough council at the time, lost the May 2021 primary election. He then launched a write-in campaign for the November general election with the support of Ali, a current council member, and Islam, a former council member.
The scheme involved obtaining personal identification information from individuals who did not live in Millbourne, including friends, acquaintances, and clients from Hasan’s business. Using this information, Hasan accessed Pennsylvania’s online voter registration system and fraudulently changed their voter registration addresses to borough locations without their knowledge or consent. Hasan then requested mail-in ballots for these individuals, completed the ballots, forged their signatures, and submitted the fraudulent votes for his candidacy.
Court filings revealed that Islam knowingly provided email addresses to Hasan for the purpose of concealing the fraudulent voter registrations. Additionally, Ali actively encouraged non-Millbourne residents to cooperate in the scheme, assuring them that they would face no repercussions as long as they refrained from voting elsewhere during the November election. Prosecutors alleged that these efforts registered nearly three dozen ineligible voters and resulted in dozens of fraudulent ballots being submitted.
Despite their efforts, Hasan lost the general election by a margin of 165 to 138.
Official Responses
U.S. Attorney Metcalf condemned the actions of the defendants, emphasizing their betrayal of the public’s trust. “Protecting the integrity of our elections is crucial to ensuring a fair result, as well as the public’s continued trust in the process,” Metcalf stated. “That’s why these cases are a priority for my office and the FBI. Election fraud will not be tolerated in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.”
Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Philadelphia office, highlighted the gravity of the offense. “Trust in the electoral process is the cornerstone of our democracy. When public officials betray that trust through fraud, they don’t just break the law – they erode confidence in the very institutions that uphold our system.”
Adding to these sentiments, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer praised the investigation, noting, “This investigation exposed public officials who forgot that their role in a democracy is limited to accepting the voters’ choice. My office remains committed to election integrity, ensuring that everyone’s vote is counted equally.”
Sentencing and Broader Implications
The defendants are scheduled for sentencing on June 18. Each faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison per charge, making their legal exposure significant given the multiple counts to which they pleaded guilty.
This case highlights the electoral system’s potential vulnerabilities and the importance of robust oversight measures. Federal and local officials have reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the democratic process and holding accountable those who attempt to undermine it.
The investigation was jointly conducted by the FBI and the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark B. Dubnoff.
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