MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) – One of the two women involved in a fraud scheme during last year’s election was sentenced to the Colorado Department of Corrections.
Stuart was sentenced to five years for identity theft and two years for forgery. She will serve them concurrently followed by three years of parole.
Stuart, who was a United States Postal Service worker when the crimes took place, stole ballots from Mesa County residents and had her friend, Sally Maxedon, fill them out and sign them before mailing them. They did this as a way to test the credibility of the voting signature system.
Maxedon, who admitted to officers about the scheme, has a plea hearing on July 15.
Stuart’s lawyer originally requested she should be put on probation, but Judge Brian Flynn denied the request.
Stuart showed remorse during sentencing.
“I’m really sorry for my part in this,” she said. “I really feel bad. I regret everything. I’m really truly sorry.”
District Attorney Dan Rubinstein said he believed they didn’t need to convict her on all charges for her to face a sufficient sentence.
