Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos campaign for Congress under review by police over signatures

JAMESTOWN, R.I. (WLNE) — After the Jamestown Board of Canvassers raised concerns over the validity of signatures submitted for a candidate in the Congress District 1 special election, Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos’ campaign confirmed they were the source of the investigation.

Lt. Gov. Matos’ Congressional Campaign Manager Brexton Isaacs said in a statement addressing the concerns, “We hold all our staff and volunteers to the highest ethical standards. That is why these reports are both surprising and concerning. We want to thank the board of canvassers across the state for the valuable work they’re doing.”

In reaction to the review of Matos’ campaign, Gabe Amo, a Democratic candidate for the CD1 Special Election released the following statement, “The news that the police are investigating Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos’ campaign for submitting fraudulent signatures, some of which belong to dead Rhode Islanders, is a disturbing development in her campaign. I urge Boards of Canvassers across the First District to thoroughly investigate the signatures submitted by the Matos Campaign. Election fraud is a serious violation of the public trust and should be grounds for disqualification from seeking public office.”

Don Carlson, another Democratic candidate in the special election shared a release addressing the investigation into Matos’ campaign which reads, “As a Jamestown voter, I am stunned that Lt. Gov. Matos’ campaign submitted fraudulent nomination papers to the Jamestown Board of Canvassers. We should all be deeply concerned by this betrayal of the electoral process. This calculated pattern of deception began with her false endorsements. Rhode Islanders deserve better.”

Walter Berbrick, a Democratic candidate for the CD1 special election released the following statement in response to the investigation into Matos’ campaign which reads, “Hearing of the investigation into fraudulent signatures. Free and fair elections are the foundation of every healthy democracy. I trust the local Board of Canvassers will perform their due diligence to find the truth, hold those accountable, and uphold the integrity of this election for the people of Rhode Island’s first district.”

According to Jamestown police, the board was in receipt of the signatures Wednesday and upon review officials noticed “several discrepancies.”

According to an agenda, the Board of Canvassers discussed the matter at a Monday meeting and ultimately referred the potential fraudulent signatures to police.

According to the Secretary of State’s website, 13 Democrats and two Republicans have submitted the 500 signatures needed to appear on the ballot.