Trial date set for 3 charged in illegal ballot scheme in Rensselaer County

A trial has been scheduled one year from now for three people charged in an alleged absentee ballot scheme in Rensselaer County.

Richard Crist, James Gordon and Leslie Wallace are accused of using their county positions to obtain absentee ballots in voters’ names through fraud and intimidation during the 2021 election, according to the indictment. Crist is director of operations. Gordon is director of central services and a member of the North Greenbush Town Board. Wallace works for the county executive’s office.

U.S. District Court Judge Mae D’Agostino has set a Sept. 3 trial date.

The people for whom the three suspects obtained ballots had not requested them nor sought the help of the trio. The three defendants are also accused of conspiring to cast false and illegal votes in those voters’ names.