ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Former Eatonville Mayor Anthony Grant was found guilty on May 19 on two felony counts and one misdemeanor, News 6 has learned.
“We are pleased with the jury’s verdict,” said Eryka Washington, a spokesperson for the 9th Judicial Circuit of Florida. “These cases are important to maintaining the community’s trust in our voting process.”
Earlier in the day, prosecutors and defense wrapped up closing arguments in Grant’s voter-fraud trial by comparing ballots to toaster pastries.
Grant, along with co-defendants Mia Nowells and James Randolph, was accused of coercing voters and forcing them to send in absentee ballots, effectively “stealing” the 2015 mayoral election, according to the state. The jury started deliberating Friday before 1 p.m. News 6 learned the verdict about 9:30 p.m.
In his closing arguments, State Attorney Rick Walsh brought out a package of strawberry frosted Pop-Tarts to explain to jurors why he believed Grant and his two former campaign workers were guilty.
