A judge has found Georgia Republican Party official Brian Pritchard guilty of illegally voting nine times over several years. Pritchard has falsely asserted that Democrats had stolen the 2020 election through fraud. Administrative Law Judge Lisa Boggs ruled that Pritchard violated state election laws by voting while on probation for forgery and other felonies, with his explanations deemed neither credible nor convincing. Pritchard has been fined $5,000 and ordered to pay investigative costs, with the State Election Board publicly reprimanding him for his conduct.
Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has called for Pritchard to resign or be removed from his position in the Georgia GOP due to his illegal voting while on probation for check forgery. Pritchard, a conservative talk show host, has made claims on his FetchYourNews.com show that the 2020 election was fraudulent, aligning with former President Trump’s assertions. However, investigations have found no evidence of mass fraud in 2020. Pritchard’s probation stemmed from felony fraud and theft charges in Pennsylvania in 1996.
Judge Boggs cited court records showing Pritchard’s guilty plea to felony fraud and theft involving forged checks, with additional evidence indicating his probation extended until 2011. Pritchard testified that he was unaware of his felon status when registering to vote in Georgia in 2008 and participating in nine elections between 2008 and 2010. The judge found his explanations lacking credibility, stating that he should have known his voting rights were suspended due to his criminal history.
Pritchard’s fine includes penalties for each illegal vote cast and for illegally registering to vote in 2008. He has the option to appeal the decision. Despite being defiant about his voting record in the past, Pritchard has faced criticism from within the Georgia Republican Party. Former vice chairman Jason Shepherd has called for Pritchard’s resignation, labeling him as a conspiracy theorist who has built a media platform around false claims of election fraud.
The judge’s decision regarding Pritchard’s voter fraud has raised questions about his credibility and fitness for leadership within the Georgia GOP. With accusations of illegal voting well-known before his rise to a high position in the party, there have been calls for his resignation to maintain the party’s integrity on election matters. Whether Pritchard will step down or face further consequences remains to be seen, but the ruling has put a spotlight on his actions and statements regarding election integrity.
