Advertisement Eatonville mayor, 2 others indicted in election fraud case Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The mayor of Eatonville and two others face a host of charges in connection with an election fraud investigation.News of the indictment came as the grand jury looking into the case concluded its service Monday.>>Download the WESH 2 News app for iOS and AndroidMayor Anthony Grant is accused of offering bribes in exchange for absentee votes -- allegations the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has investigated.RELATED: Eatonville Mayor Anthony Grant responds to allegations of fraud, misconduct"These three people conspired together to essentially present votes as if they were legitimate," said State Attorney Jeff Ashton. "That is the allegation in a number of the counts."Grant turned himself into authorities Monday night and is in the custody of the Orange County Jail. The two others named in the indictment, James Randolph and Mia Nowells, are also in custody.Officials said Randolph and Nowells worked for or with Grant during the election."This indictment is the culmination of a one-year investigation," Ashton said.In a news conference, Ashton said Grant, along with his two alleged co-conspirators, Nowells and Randolph, is accused of either telling people how to vote or intimidating people to influence how they voted on their absentee ballots in last year's election."The allegation is that these individuals essentially said, 'Vote for this person and that person' in violation of court statute," Ashton said.The grand jury handed up the 28-count indictment on Monday afternoon and it ends a nearly year-long investigation into voter fraud in the town of Eatonville."Today, the citizens of the town of Eatonville have finally been heard," said Danny Banks, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's agent-in-charge.Local resident Jennifer Foster said Grant helped her get an absentee ballot and it was much appreciated."He stopped by and stopped to see if were eligible to vote. He would help you get an absentee ballot. He never said, 'Make sure you vote for me, make sure you vote for the people in my party.' He never said of that," Foster said.But local resident Camille Sowho, who does business in Eatonville, said she has her doubts."You should not cheat," Sowho said.WESH 2 News asked Sowho if she thinks it is possible that he did cheat."Absolutely. Because he is human. Possible for me to cheat, it's possible for you to cheat," Sowho said.