INDIANAPOLIS – In the midst of a voter registration investigation, Indiana State Police said Patriot Majority USA’s allegations against state officials of voter suppression are “completely false.”
The response from ISP comes after the Indiana Voter registration Project, a subsidiary of Patriot Majority USA, asked the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division to investigate efforts by state officials to "suppress tens of thousands of African American votes."
ISP officials said not only are the allegations untrue, they uncovered “intentional acts of fraud.” Officers conducted a raid of the Indiana Voter registration Project offices in Indianapolis Oct. 4.
“Every allegation by Patriot Majority USA against the Indiana State Police is completely false. In fact, it is clear from evidence documented to date that we have uncovered intentional acts of fraud by representatives of Patriot Majority USA,” said Capt. David Bursten, chief public information officer for ISP. “The Indiana State Police is charged with enforcing the laws of the state of Indiana and we are determined to protect the integrity of the election and every citizen’s right to vote.”
RELATED | CALL 6: State Police conduct raid related to voter registration fraud
In late August, Hendricks County Voter Registration officials received voter application forms that appeared to be fraudulent or forged and contacted the ISP. The investigation eventually spread to 56 counties in the state.
"In conducting their partisan raid, these so-called investigators violated numerous legal standards, including - but not limited to: Denying staff the opportunity to contact an attorney; telling staff that if an attorney were contacted, a state trooper had to be present; and denying the Project's attorney access to the office and staff," said Craig Varoga, president of Patriot Majority.
RELATED | Voter registration fraud reported in Marion, Hendricks counties | Voter registration fraud investigation expands to 56 Indiana counties |
Matt Lloyd, spokesman for Gov. Mike Pence issued the following statement Saturday regarding allegations made by Patriot Majority USA:
“These allegations are completely false and beyond absurd. In fact, the Indiana State Police has uncovered strong evidence of voter fraud by Patriot Majority USA. Among Governor Pence’s top priorities is ensuring the integrity of the election and that every single Hoosier vote counts. He has full confidence in the Indiana State Police investigation to achieve this goal.”
