‘THEY’RE CAUGHT’: California Elections Fraud Exposed — This Is MINDBLOWING
A longtime Los Angeles County petition circulator has agreed to plead guilty to a federal charge after admitting she paid people, including homeless individuals in downtown Los Angeles, to register to vote.
Brenda Lee Brown Armstrong, 64, of Marina del Rey, who also went by the name “Anika,” agreed to plead guilty to one count of paying another person to register to vote, a crime punishable by up to five years in federal prison.
Armstrong is scheduled to make her initial appearance Monday afternoon in federal court in Santa Ana.
According to federal prosecutors, Armstrong spent nearly two decades working as a petition circulator, collecting signatures from registered voters to qualify initiatives, referendums, and recalls for California ballots.
She was paid by coordinators based on the number of valid signatures she gathered from registered voters, with compensation varying depending on the specific ballot measure.
Court documents state that because payment depended on obtaining signatures from registered voters, Armstrong worked to ensure the people signing her petitions were registered or became registered.
Federal authorities allege that Armstrong frequently solicited signatures in the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles because of its large concentration of people willing to sign petitions in exchange for cash.
According to her plea agreement, Armstrong regularly paid between $2 and $3 to induce individuals to sign petitions.
Prosecutors also said that when some homeless individuals lacked a permanent address, Armstrong occasionally instructed them to use one of her former Los Angeles addresses on voter registration forms.
Those forms simultaneously registered individuals to vote in both California and federal elections.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli called the case a clear example of voter fraud during a news conference announcing the plea agreement.
“This is not an allegation, this is not a theory, this is an example of admitted voter fraud,” Essayli said.
He added that federal authorities intend to aggressively prosecute election-related crimes.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon also emphasized the significance of the case, saying that false voter registrations undermine public confidence in elections.
Dhillon said the Justice Department remains committed to ensuring elections are conducted fairly and free from illegal interference so Americans can have confidence in the results.
The case also drew attention because of video footage recorded by conservative journalist James O’Keefe.
A video reposted by Real America’s Voice appeared to show a woman handing cash to a homeless individual.
O’Keefe claimed on social media that his investigation contributed to Armstrong being charged earlier this year.
The guilty plea comes as the Justice Department continues a separate legal battle over California’s voter registration records.
Federal officials have sued California Secretary of State Shirley Weber seeking access to the state’s unredacted voter file, including names, addresses, driver’s license numbers and portions of Social Security numbers.
The Justice Department argues it is entitled to the information under provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1960, the Help America Vote Act and the National Voter Registration Act.
A federal judge in Santa Ana dismissed the lawsuit in January after determining that releasing the information would violate federal privacy protections.
State officials also argued that the Trump administration sought the records to assist with immigration enforcement rather than election oversight.
The Justice Department has appealed that decision.
Arguments in the appeal are scheduled before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena.
While the appeal proceeds separately, Armstrong’s guilty plea represents one of the highest-profile federal voter fraud prosecutions involving petition circulation in California in recent years.
The case has already become a focal point in the broader debate over election integrity and voter registration practices, The Associated Press reported.
If accepted by the court, Armstrong’s plea would resolve the criminal charge while leaving sentencing to be determined at a later date.
Federal prosecutors have not indicated whether additional individuals connected to the alleged scheme could face charges as the investigation continues.
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My Husband Left Me in Rags for His Mistress. He Didn't Know My Billionaire Father Owned the Gala.
He took his mistress to the most prestigious gala in the city and left me standing in an old evening dress, then looked me in the eye and said, ""You'll only embarrass me."" He thought humiliating me would be the end of the story. He had no idea that one phone call I'd kept hidden for three years was about to shake everything he had built.
""You really planned to wear that?""
My husband's voice drifted up from the front entrance, cold enough to make my hands tremble. I stood frozen in front of the bedroom mirror, staring at the navy dress I had treasured since before we got married. The fabric was still elegant, but time had begun to show along the sleeves. I smoothed them anyway, hoping they looked less obvious.
Outside, Spencer Reed stepped out of his black SUV looking like the perfect CEO, every inch polished and confident. From the hallway, I heard our housekeeper, Mrs. Evelyn, gently ask if she should tell me it was time to come downstairs.
""There isn't any reason,"" Spencer answered without hesitation. ""Paisley's coming with me.""
His words hit harder than a slap.
I walked to the window and watched him adjust his cuff links without even glancing toward the house. Three years of marriage... and somehow I still kept convincing myself that if I stayed humble enough, patient enough, invisible enough, he would eventually love me.
I was wrong.
The sound of high heels echoed through the marble foyer.
Paisley Dawson slipped beside him wearing a shimmering gold gown that looked like it belonged on a magazine cover. Around her neck sparkled a diamond necklace that cost more than I had probably spent on myself during our entire marriage.
She smiled sweetly before looking me up and down.
""So... you're the wife.""
Her eyes paused on my worn sleeves, and she laughed softly.
""Now I understand why Spencer never brings you anywhere.""
I waited.
Surely my husband would say something.
Anything.
Instead, he smiled at her.
""You look incredible.""
The room suddenly felt colder.
Paisley rested her hand possessively on his arm.
""The Apex Group charity gala isn't a place for someone dressed like... that,"" she said. ""Tonight will be filled with CEOs, senators, investors—people who actually matter. You'd only make Spencer look bad.""
Every word was carefully chosen to wound.
I turned to Spencer, refusing to let them see the anger building inside me.
He didn't defend me.
He didn't deny her words.
He simply offered Paisley his arm.
""We're late.""
That was all.
I stood silently as the front door closed behind them. A few seconds later, the SUV disappeared through the gates, its taillights fading into the evening.
Mrs. Evelyn quietly walked over and touched my arm.
""I'm so sorry, Mrs. Reed. Would you like me to make you some dinner?""
I forced a faint smile.
""No... thank you.""
I climbed the stairs alone and shut the bedroom door behind me. Through the window I could see the skyline where tonight's gala was already beginning, lights glowing above the city like another world I was never meant to enter.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message.
Unknown number.
When I opened it, my stomach dropped.
It was a selfie from the back seat of Spencer's SUV.
Paisley leaned against him with a smug grin, flashing a peace sign while Spencer's reflection appeared beside her in the window.
Below the photo she had written:
""By the time tonight is over, he'll belong to me completely. Have fun waiting at home.""
I didn't cry.
Instead, I walked to my vanity, opened the lowest drawer, and pulled out a small red velvet box I hadn't touched in three years.
Inside rested a SIM card.
The one I promised myself I'd never need again.
I slipped it into my phone.
Only one contact appeared.
Dad.
My thumb hovered over the screen before I finally pressed Call.
One ring.
Two.
Three.
Then I heard the voice I hadn't allowed myself to hear since I walked away from my family.
""Phoebe?""
His voice sounded older... but the concern was still there.
My throat tightened.
""Dad...""
For a moment I couldn't speak.
Then the words finally escaped.
""I want to come home.""
Silence.
Long enough to make my heart pound.
Finally, my father—Raymond Harrell, the billionaire whose name could open almost any door in the country—answered with a voice trembling from emotion.
""My little girl...""
Another pause.
""I'm coming to get you.""
In that instant, everything changed.
Spencer believed tonight would elevate his empire.
He had no idea the most powerful man he'd ever unknowingly offended was already on his way.
