A group of six individuals orchestrated a fraudulent scheme involving nearly two dozen absentee ballots in an attempt to manipulate the 2023 City Council primary election in New York City. The mastermind behind this plot was Yu-Ching James Pai, a candidate vying for the GOP nomination to represent District 20 in Flushing.
Among those involved in this fraudulent activity were Pai’s own daughter, Sydnee Pai, along with Li Zhen Wan, Yee Ping Yam, Lisbeth Cheng, and Crystal You, as well as another unnamed individual. These individuals volunteered for Pai’s campaign and engaged in picking up absentee ballots from the Board of Elections office for registered voters without their knowledge or consent.
The scheme was uncovered when one of the affected voters tried to cast their ballot in person but was informed that they had already voted via absentee ballot. This raised suspicions, leading to an investigation by the Queens District Attorney’s office. It was discovered that the defendants had fraudulently obtained and submitted absentee ballots on behalf of 23 different individuals, forging their signatures and bypassing the proper procedures.
The six individuals involved in this scheme were brought to court, where they faced charges including criminal possession of a forged instrument, falsifying business records, and illegal voting. They pleaded not guilty, but if convicted, they could face up to seven years in prison. Additionally, they surrendered their passports and are scheduled to appear in court again in September.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz emphasized the importance of upholding the integrity of the election process and ensuring that the democratic rights of voters are protected. Despite Pai winning the Republican primary, he ultimately lost in the general election to Democrat Sandra Ung, who garnered twice the number of votes Pai received.
This incident serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of electoral fraud and the efforts needed to safeguard the democratic process. It highlights the vigilance required to detect and prevent such fraudulent activities that undermine the fundamental principles of fair and free elections. The legal proceedings against the individuals involved will serve as a deterrent to others who may contemplate similar unlawful actions in the future.
