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Villamaino

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Villamaino's pre-trial hearing date, last I knew, was set for December 3. Whether it will actually generate any news, I have no idea.

Unless you keep up with the news of certain suburbs of Springfield, MA, you likely have no idea who Enrico ("Jack") Villamaino is. The chap pictured above. Splashy voter fraud case, though., With an odd twist -- but we'll get to that.

Villamaino was a Selectman in East Longmeadow, Mass. He wanted to move up the political ladder and become a state representative (as a Republican.)

The state alleges that he sought to do this through an elaborate scheme for tampering with ballots. He had help from a town employee, Courtney Llewellyn.

In a Hollywoodish touch, Villamaino was actually arrested on October 16th with a passport and a bag with personal effects. He had apparently told witnesses his planned destination was Switzerland. Dude! That sort of thing makes it tough for your lawyer to argue for low bail.

Here's the neat twist. Villamaino and Llewellyn had the commendable foresight to marry each other, in the days before their (separate) arrests.  The state alleges this was not a love match, but an effect to ensure that neither could be required to testify at the expense of the other. 

Since they are both defendants, they both have the right to remain silent anyway and that is rather moot. But, hey, it was a good thought.  Republicans tell us traditional marriage must be defended in its sanctity from the efforts of gays to get in on it. I wonder if this scheme, by two heterosexual Republicans, falls under the "sanctity" heading.

Stay awesome, East Longmeadow.
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