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Petaluma resident arrested under Trump administration's crackdown on alleged fraudulent voters
The Press Democrat • • nation
Key Points:
- Verónica Bullene, a 43-year-old legal permanent resident from Petaluma, California, was charged under the DOJ's Operation Protect the Vote for allegedly registering and voting illegally in multiple elections despite not being a U.S. citizen.
- Bullene faces four counts including attempted procurement of naturalization contrary to law, which carries up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and possible immigration consequences.
- The DOJ's crackdown on alleged non-citizen voting in California has been met with skepticism from state officials and immigrant advocacy groups, who question the accuracy and timing of the evidence.
- Some defendants have denied voting illegally, and legal experts note that accidental voter registration may not constitute a crime without proof of willful intent.
- The defendants, from 14 countries including nine from Mexico, are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on November 9, and the DOJ requested that Bullene’s case be sealed.
