The book has not yet closed on the investigation into Lincoln County vote fraud, said U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin following the Aug. 8 guilty plea of a former Lincoln County Commissioner.
Thomas Ramey Jr., 32, pleaded guilty the single-count information charging him with lying to an FBI agent when he told the agent he did not know who altered certain absentee ballots before they were submitted to the Lincoln County clerk.
The information asserts Ramey caused a known person to alter absentee ballot applications.
"We are not yet concluding the investigation into election fraud of Lincoln County. However, with Mr. Ramey's guilty plea, we have all major players involved in fraudulent absentee ballot scheme in Lincoln County," Goodwin said after the hearing.
"What we want to do is communicate that you are accountable in this conduct. Send a clear message that if you engage in this action, you will be prosecuted. Clean elections are crucial to our constitutional democracy," he added.
Ramey was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond. He could face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced 2 p.m. Nov 15.
"This case has been a long time coming," said Lincoln County resident Ruth Pridemore, who said she was not surprised to hear of Ramey's involvement. "I would like to see a couple more go down. … This has been going on probably since before the last election."
However, some residents expressed disappointment with one part of the plea agreement, which allows Ramey to run for public office in 10 years.
"I don't understand how after 10 years he is allowed to hold public office," said Lincoln County resident Lisa Ramey, who is not related to Thomas Ramey. "It's sad you can get by with doing serious crime and be allowed to hold office."
Two others have been convicted in the investigation of the 2010 primary election fraud scheme. Former Lincoln County Sheriff Jerry Bowman was charged with conspiracy in illegal absentee ballot while Lincoln County Clerk Donald Whitten was charged with making false statements in an investigation of the fraud.
Both men pleaded guilty March 7.
"The joint state-federal investigation continues to yield results, even 27 months later," said Secretary of State Natalie E. Tennant. "This investigation has now resulted in three elected officials from Lincoln County pleading guilty. I am proud of the effort put forth by the investigators from the Secretary of State's Office and the close cooperation we have enjoyed with federal investigators. Our message has been clear: We will investigate allegations of election law violations and we will not allow those who seek to manipulate our elections chip away at the foundation of our democracy."
James A. Matheny, 61, of Midkiff, Lincoln County, also was found guilty earlier this year for brandishing a gun at special agents investigating the Lincoln County election fraud.
Federal prosecutors say Bowman falsified more than 100 absentee ballot applications for voters who could not legally vote absentee. According to a news release, Bowman also is charged with filling out at least six absentee ballots.
The information states Bowman, Whitten and another "known individual" visited voters' homes and sat with them while they voted.
According to a news release, Whitten told an agent in a 2011 investigation he never provided absentee ballots to the known associate.
Bowman could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine while Whitten could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when they are sentenced Aug. 29.
Two civil suits also were brought by two former candidates against Ramey, Bowman, Whitten and other Lincoln County officials alleging involvement in a conspiracy to fix the May 2010 primary election.
Besides Ramey, Whitten and Bowman, the first suit was filed by Charles Brumfield, a Democratic candidate for Lincoln County clerk, against Lincoln County commissioner Charles McCann, Lincoln County Commission secretary Judy Johnson, Rocky Adkins, the Lincoln County Commission and the West Virginia Counties Group Self Insurance Risk Pool.
That same day, Maria "Phoebe" Harless, a Democratic candidate for county commission, filed a federal suit against the same people. However, Harless' suit also included Lincoln County Commissioner Charles Vance.
In addition to Bowman and Whitten, Brumfield and Harless assert Ramey and Adkins visited homes of select Lincoln County residents to have those residents sign applications for absentee ballots, even though the reasons for absentee voting were false.
Officials filed responses to both suits June 20 stating alleged damages were caused by plaintiffs' misconduct or intervening criminal acts over which defendants had no control.
Defendants also assert plaintiffs' claims are barred by the statute of limitations and request a trial by jury on all issues.
In a motion filed July 9, McCann, Ramey, Johnson and the Lincoln County Commission asked that both Brumfield's and Harless' suits be dismissed because suits "failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted."
Stipulations have been filed in both cases allowing an extension for both Bowman and Whitten to file answers.
"I hope and pray there will be more because there are more people involved," Ramey added. "We're living it. The people in Lincoln County are living the repercussions. Some are afraid to speak up because they're afraid they could lose their jobs."
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