An operative who worked on Mark Harris’ congressional campaign associate was indicted on seven counts of campaign fraud in North Carolina on Wednesday.
Leslie McCrae Dowless faces three counts of felony obstruction of justice, two counts of conspiracy to obstruct justice, and two counts of tampering absentee ballots.
The indictment comes after an investigation conducted by the state’s Board of Elections looking into allegations that Dowless organized an effort to illegally collect and tamper with absentee ballots in areas heavily favoring the GOP nominee.
Dowless’ role in the campaign became a key component of a months-long legal battle over the certification process for the election which took place in November. During testimony last week, Harris claimed the campaign associate had assured him no ballot mischief had taken place.
Dowless refused to testify to the elections board after he was denied a request to be granted immunity, according to the Associated Press.
Kim Strach, the director of the state board, asserted that McCrae Dowels paid campaign operatives $150 for every 50 absentee ballot request. The probe also found that the Harris campaign compromised the absentee ballot process. Only 905 votes separated Harris from his Democratic challenger, Dan McCready, in their race to represent North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District.
Harris announced Tuesday that he would not be running in the new election called by the state board. He endorsed local commissioner Stony Rushing for the open congressional seat.
