Ex-Mass. Rep. Gets 4 Months For Ballot Fraud

A former Massachusetts state representative has been sentenced to four months in prison for casting invalid absentee ballots in 2009 and 2010.

Stephen Smith, a Democrat from Everett, pleaded guilty in December to two civil rights misdemeanor counts. Under the terms of a plea agreement with prosecutors, Smith resigned his position and is not allowed to seek elected office for five years.

Prosecutors said Smith cast invalid absentee ballots in support of his races for public office for voters who were ineligible or otherwise unaware of ballots being cast in their names.

The 57-year-old Smith was sentenced in federal court Tuesday. He was ordered to report to prison on May 21.

He was also ordered to pay a $20,000 fine.