June 22, 2018
Carson City, NV – Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt and Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske announced that Patrick Duffy, 48, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to one count of Misconduct in Signing, Filing, or Altering Petition, a category “D” felony. Duffy falsified the signatures of individuals on petitions to qualify the Nevada Green Party for general election ballot access in 2016, and then submitted those falsified petitions to be filed. While submitting those petitions, Duffy swore under penalty of perjury that the signatures were legitimate.
“Protecting the integrity of the elections process from voter fraud and ensuring that the will of Nevadans is heard remains a priority for my office and this state,” said Attorney General Adam Laxalt.
“Ensuring the integrity of the petition process is a very important responsibility of this office,” added Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske. “Those individuals and entities that participate in the gathering of voter’s signatures on petitions must be diligent in their adherence to the law. Falsifying a signature on a petition is a category “D” felony.”
Eighth Judicial District Judge Stefany Miley accepted Duffy’s plea. He is due to be sentenced on October 17, 2018.
Duffy is not the first defendant to be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office for falsifying voter petitions. Last year, the Attorney General’s Fraud Unit prosecuted Renaldo Johnson for similar conduct. Johnson has also pleaded guilty to Misconduct in Signing, Filing, or Altering Petition. Like Duffy, he has not yet been sentenced. Both the Duffy and Johnson matters were investigated by the Nevada Secretary of State’s office.
To file a complaint about someone suspected of committing a fraud, click here.
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