In 24 hours, Annette Bosworth went from a South Dakota U.S. Senate candidate to election loser to getting arrested. The Republican was arrested on election fraud charges, and wasn’t the only one involved in the election arrested. An independent candidate is facing similar charges.
Bosworth’s week started off pretty good. Even though she was a longshot to win the GOP primary, she was still a candidate. In fact, she was even booked to speak with Fox News’ Megyn Kelly on Tuesday.
Unfortunately, the Kelly interview included her learning that she lost with just 6 percent of the vote, notes The Wall Street Journal.
Twelve hours after that interview, things got even worse. She was arrested. According to the Argus Leader, she is facing 12 felony charges related to her petitions to get on the ballot. She had signed oaths that she was present for petition signatures in January, but it turns out that she was actually in the Philippines for a mission trip.
Prosecutors have called that perjury and filing false documents.
At least Bosworth can find solace in the fact that she’s not the only one facing similar charges. Independent candidate Clayton Walker was already off the ballot last month and has been charged with forgery and perjury for turning in petition signatures for people who didn’t exist.
Bosworth could face up to two years in prison and a $4,000 fine if convicted. She has said that she is innocent, though. “There was no criminal intent to deceive, nor was there any reason to,” she said.
Attorney General Marty Jackley isn’t buying it. “We're not alleging that somebody... came in and signed a petition and put the wrong address on there," Jackley said of the charges both Bosworth and Walker face. "These allegations are much more straightforward and deliberate."