A former Troy councilwoman was sentenced in federal court on Friday to one year of probation for her role in absentee ballot fraud scheme in Rensselaer County.

Kimberly Ashe-McPherson, a Republican, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in June 2022 to three federal counts of voter fraud. She admitted to fraudulently casting an absentee ballot in the 2021 Rensselaer County primary election and two absentee ballots in the general election that November.

This was part of a scheme that prosecutors said was designed to assist in the re-election of Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin. It involved making it so their preferred candidate would win the Working Families ballot line in the primary, which would make it easier to win the general election.

Ashe-McPherson was also fined $1,500 and an additional special assessment of $100.

Three Rensselaer County officials – Rich Crist, Jim Gordon, and Leslie Wallace – were acquitted in September on charges related to the scheme. 

Jason Schofield, former Rensselaer County GOP elections commissioner, pleaded guilty in January 2023. His sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 15.