The mayor of Elmwood Park, New Jersey, was arrested April 29 for alleged election tampering.
The office’s investigation revealed that Caramagna “had interfered with the secrecy of the election process by completing portions of the Application for Vote by Mail Ballot, Primary Election Ballot Certifications, and General Election Ballot Certifications of registered voters,” the release said.
Caramagna was only ahead by three votes on the election night, but after mail-in, provisional, and absentee ballots were counted, his lead expanded to 318. Less than 4,400 votes were cast altogether.
He was released from the Bergen County Jail on April 29 after being charged with one count of interfering with the secrecy of the election process, facing three to five years in prison, disenfranchisement, and a fine of up to $15,000 if convicted. He is scheduled to appear in court on May 22.
Tampering Alluded
Former Elmwood Park councilman Anthony Chirdo suggested that Caramagna tampered with the election, during his last public meeting on Aug. 16.Other council members appeared unsettled by the comments. One commented that “it’s illegal” to collect the ballots personally. Others called Chirdo’s comment “so inappropriate” and “so out of order.”
“You never made a contribution since I’ve been mayor here,” Caramagna responded. “Never once you made a suggestion. Always been negative. You tried to fight people. You, as an Eagle Scout—you should be ashamed of yourself, because you make a lot of accusations. Shame on you. I thought you were a better man. You better go away. I’m sorry.”
After the news of Caramagna’s arrest broke, Chirdo responded in a Facebook post.
Caramagna succeeded at getting elected on his fifth try. He previously taught Italian and Spanish at Elmwood Park High School and served on the Board of Education.
His term would have expired on Dec. 31. He planned to run for reelection and is on the ballot in the June primary. His opponents are Colletti and another Republican, Magdalena Giandomenico, who is supported by Chirdo.