Ariail to probe District 18 vote

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Bob Ariail, 13th Judicial Circuit Solicitor, said he intends to launch a criminal investigation through the Sheriff's Office or the State Law Enforcement Division.

Tony Trout called for the probe into alleged voting irregularities that have thrown his 18-vote margin over incumbent Steve Selby in the County Council primary runoff into the courts.

"They need to remove this cloud from District 18," Trout said. "Let it be investigated, and let the cards fall where they may."

Selby said he had not asked for an investigation and hadn't thought it was the place of candidates to do so.

"Our protest was based on information provided by Conway Belangia's office and the documents that we researched, and I believe those facts contained in those records speak for themselves," he said.

Trout sent a request for an investigation to Ariail, Sheriff Steve Loftis and Conway Belangia, Greenville election director.

"He beat this office to the punch as far as reporting that," Belangia said. "We will follow through with Ariail."

One vote was allegedly cast by a felon on probation, the other by someone who had already submitted an absentee ballot.

"In a small election that's a serious crime," Ariail said.

Selby's attorney, Samuel Harms, said he supports an investigation.

"If people have broken the law, the law should be enforced," he said, noting that voters who participate in runoffs sign an oath that they are qualified.

Ariail said he would look for someone experienced with illegal voting to lead the investigation. He said this would be his first such case.

Fraudulent registration or voting is a misdemeanor that can carry a fine of $100 to $500 or a year in jail, according to state law.

Trout said a disinterested party should investigate.

"The only one who has looked into this is the loser and his lawyer," Trout said.

Trout said he requested the investigation Tuesday in the interest of fairness. He said he also wanted to remove any cloud of suspicion that he was complicit in election-day irregularities.

Trout said Selby and his attorney had come up with only two votes that were illegal.

"The rest of them are innuendo and smoke and mirrors," he said.

Those irregularities included 19 people identified as Democrats voting in the runoff and five more not recorded with any party affiliation.

Selby has successfully protested the runoff to county and state Republican leaders who agreed with his argument that there were enough irregularities to cast doubt on the election's outcome.

Trout vowed he would be taking the case to the state Supreme Court.

Anna B. Brutzman can be reached at 298-4394.