Two Nevada residents, formerly of Minnesota, face federal charges for conspiring to engage in voter registration fraud. Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson announced the charges against Ronnie Williams and Lorraine Lee Combs on Friday.
“Election fraud strikes at the heart of our democracy,” Thompson said. “Thankfully, the FBI stopped this fraud in its tracks, before anyone successfully cast a fraudulent ballot. But we will stay vigilant. Whether it’s jury bribery, witness tampering, or now election fraud—crimes that threaten our democracy have no place in Minnesota.”
The scheme began in 2021 and continued through 2022, according to court documents. Williams and Combs allegedly created fictitious names and information to fill out Minnesota voter registration applications. They signed a form certifying they “have read and understand this statement” and “that giving false information is a felony punishable by not more than 5 years imprisonment or a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.”
Williams then provided the forms to “Foundation 1,” an entity seeking to register voters, which submitted them to county election offices across Minnesota, the charges say. Foundation 1 paid Williams for the registrations, and Williams split the proceeds with Combs, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said his office worked with the FBI for two years on the investigation.
He said his office also partnered with local election officials, who used verification tools to flag inconsistencies and report them to law enforcement and Simon’s office. “The extensive checks in Minnesota’s voter registration process ensured that the fraudulent applications were immediately flagged, and no ineligible votes were cast,” Simon added.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. said, “Nothing is more central to our democracy than fair and impartially conducted elections.”
“Through their actions, Combs and Williams attempted to deprive the citizens of Minnesota of a secure and reliable election process,” he added. “Along with our partners, the FBI will stop at nothing to identify and bring to justice anyone who threatens the security of our electoral system.”
Symone Harms
Symone Harms is a Media Production and Business Marketing student at Bethel University. She is actively involved in The Royals Investment Fund, The 25, theatre, and other leadership positions. She also cohosts Rooted, a podcast dedicated to being rooted in truth, growing in freedom, and prospering in life. A Minnesota native with a passion for storytelling and digital media, she aspires to a career in broadcasting as a news anchor and reporter.
