MD Nurul Hasan, MD Munsur Ali, and MD Rafikul Islam, all residents of Millbourne, Pennsylvania, have pleaded guilty to election fraud charges. The charges, announced by United States Attorney David Metcalf, stem from a scheme to influence the 2021 mayoral election in Millbourne.
The defendants were implicated in a 33-count indictment for conspiracy to commit voter fraud, providing false information during voter registration, and fraudulent voter registration. These actions aimed at ensuring Hasan's election as Millbourne’s mayor.
Hasan, the current vice president of the Millbourne Borough Council, admitted guilt on all 33 charges. Ali, another council member, confessed to all 25 charges against him. Islam, a former council member, pleaded guilty to seven charges.
In May 2021, Hasan lost the mayoral primary election. Subsequently, he pursued a write-in campaign for the general election, with Ali and Islam supporting his efforts. The court filings revealed that the defendants conspired to alter the electoral process through various deceptive practices, including using non-Millbourne residents' information to fraudulently register them as voters and casting votes on their behalf.
“Protecting the integrity of our elections is crucial to ensuring a fair result, as well as the public’s continued trust in the process,” stated U.S. Attorney Metcalf. He emphasized the importance of these cases in maintaining electoral integrity in Pennsylvania.
The FBI also expressed concern. "Trust in the electoral process is the cornerstone of our democracy. When public officials betray that trust through fraud, they erode confidence in the very institutions that uphold our system,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia, affirming the agency's dedication to electoral integrity.
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer commended the investigation, highlighting the importance of respecting voter choice. “This investigation exposed public officials who forgot that their role in a democracy is limited to accepting the voters’ choice.”
The defendants are awaiting sentencing, slated for June 18, with each charge carrying a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison. The FBI and the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office handled the investigation, and prosecution is led by Assistant United States Attorney Mark B. Dubnoff.