Frank Artiles, 47, surrendered to the authorities in Miami the day after his home was searched by investigators from the Miami-Dade Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Artiles, a Republican operative with a reputation for dirty mouth and sharp elbows, is accused of funding a fake candidate whose candidacy was intended to divert votes from a legitimate Democratic candidate in a race for the state Senate in the 37th District of South Florida. The candidate has the same surname as the then Democratic candidate Jose Javier Rodriguez, but has not actively campaigned for the vacancy and has since admitted to being recruited as a spoiler.
This man, Alexis P. Rodriguez, 55, was also charged in connection with the scheme.
Artiles and Rodriguez face identical charges: making or receiving two or more campaign contributions above or beyond the limits; conspiracy to make or receive two or more campaign contributions above or beyond limits and false oath in connection with voting or elections.
“We are claiming that these various payments grossly violated Florida’s electoral laws,” said Fernandez Rundle. “These payments were intended to influence the outcome of the election.”
Republican candidate Ileana Garcia, an ardent supporter of former President Donald Trump, won the race by just 32 votes.
Fernandez Rundle said there was no evidence that Garcia had any knowledge of the scheme. A spokeswoman for Garcia said the newly elected senator had never met Artiles.
In a text to a CNN reporter shortly before Artiles surrendered, his defense lawyer, Greg Chonillo, said his client “has been cooperating since the beginning of this investigation, as well as during the execution of the search warrant. Due to the nature of the accusations and possible litigation, we will not comment on any information related to this matter. We intend to defend ourselves in court ”.
Lawyer William Barzee, who represents candidate Rodriguez, told CNN: “Frank Artiles and his co-conspirators knew that they could not defeat Jose Javier Rodriguez in a fair election, so they defrauded. Artiles cynically targeted and used a vulnerable ‘friend’ with a great name to run in the race to confuse voters and steal the election. Alex Rodriguez deeply regrets having allowed himself to be used in this way and hopes that, by revealing the truth, he can help correct these errors. “
Rodriguez was also taken into custody in connection with the case, a Miami-Dade County correctional officer told CNN.
Even before his arrest, Artiles was a controversial figure in Florida politics.
Artiles later apologized for the comments, the first of two incidents that forced him to step down as a state senator.
CNN’s Drew Griffin contributed to this report.