Former Atlantic City councilman, Craig Callaway, known for his influential role as a political organizer and operative, has once again found himself facing charges. Arrested on Thursday, Callaway stands accused of election fraud involving the misuse of absentee ballots, a practice that his political adversaries have long accused him of.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office wasted no time in taking action against Callaway, charging him with a single count of “depriving, defrauding, and attempting to deprive and defraud the residents of the state of New Jersey of a fair and impartially conducted election process by the fraudulent procurement, casting, and tabulation of ballots.” U.S. Attorney Matthew Skahill emphasized the importance of upholding the integrity of elections, stating, “Holding free and fair elections is a bedrock principle of our democracy. Today’s charges reflect our office’s commitment to hold to account those who try to undermine the electoral process.”
Callaway’s attorney, Megan Davies, was unable to comment immediately as she entered the courtroom. Attempts to reach Callaway for a statement were unsuccessful.
According to prosecutors, Callaway and individuals acting under his direction allegedly paid people between $30 and $50 to apply as messengers for voters who wished to vote by mail. These messengers would visit the county clerk’s office, sign the messenger portion of the ballot applications, and receive the ballots intended for the listed voters. However, instead of delivering the ballots to the voters, the messengers handed them over to Callaway or his subordinates. The U.S. Attorney’s office alleges that many of these mail-in ballots were subsequently cast in the names of individuals who confirmed they did not vote in the 2022 general election, nor did they authorize anyone to vote on their behalf. Shockingly, a significant number of these fraudulent ballots were counted in the election.
This is not the first time Callaway has faced legal trouble. In the past, he served a 40-month prison sentence for bribery while serving as a city councilman. While awaiting his prison term, Callaway orchestrated a sex sting against his political rival, fellow Councilman Eugene Robinson. In 2006, Callaway rented two rooms at a motel on the outskirts of town, where a hidden camera was placed in one room and a video recorder in the adjacent room. Allegedly, Callaway and others paid a prostitute to lure Robinson, a Baptist minister, to the motel and engage in a sexual act, with the intention of using the footage to blackmail Robinson into resigning. However, Robinson reported the incident to the authorities, leading to a three-year prison term for Callaway. Robinson, who has since passed away, maintained that the encounter was consensual and that the money he provided was for purchasing sodas.
Despite accusations of wrongdoing from unsuccessful candidates in previous elections, Callaway had managed to evade charges until now. If convicted of election fraud, he could face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The arrest of Craig Callaway has sent shockwaves through Atlantic City’s political landscape, raising concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. As the legal proceedings unfold, the community eagerly awaits justice and a reaffirmation of the principles that underpin their democracy.
1 Response
I remember hearing about Craig Callaway when I was living in Atlantic City a few years ago. His name was always in the news, and he seemed to have a lot of power and influence in the local political scene.
One incident that stands out in my memory is when Callaway was involved in a scandal during a mayoral election. It was a highly contested race, and Callaway was known for his ability to mobilize voters and sway elections. However, it was alleged that he was using illegal