Northeast
4 Connecticut Democratic operatives charged in absentee ballot misuse investigation
Four Connecticut Democratic operatives were charged this week with election-related offenses, including one woman who had been previously scrutinized over alleged “ballot stuffing” in a Bridgeport mayoral primary.
Two campaign workers, along with Bridgeport City Councilmember Alfredo Castillo and Democratic Town Committee Vice Chair Wanda Geter-Pataky, were charged with unlawful possession of absentee ballots, among other offenses, according to multiple reports.
Geter-Pataky was in-part accused of failing to sign as an “assister” on an absentee ballot application she had filled out on behalf of a prospective voter, according to an official statement on the case.
Castillo was accused of misrepresenting eligibility requirements for voting by absentee ballot and failing to sign as an assister, among other allegations.
CONNECTICUT MAYOR DENIES DISCUSSIONS WITH SUSPECTED BALLOT-STUFFER
Three of the individuals, including Geter-Pataky and Castillo, were supporters of Mayor Joseph Ganim’s 2019 re-election, while the fourth supported Ganim’s primary opponent, Marilyn Moore, according to the Connecticut Post.
Ganim, who leads the state’s largest city, has repeatedly denied any knowledge of the alleged behavior of the supporters.
The four defendants are scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on June 24.
A state judge previously overturned the 2023 Democratic mayoral primary in Bridgeport over allegations of absentee ballot fraud. Only 251 votes separated Ganim from his then-challenger John Gomes.
Judge William Clark ordered a new election be held after Geter-Pataky and another individual were purportedly seen on CCTV video making multiple trips to insert a large number of absentee ballots into drop boxes.
JUDGE ORDERS NEW PRIMARY ELECTION AFTER SEEING VIDEO SHOWING POSSIBLE BALLOT-STUFFING
Some of the video aired on Fox News Channel at the time, during which a correspondent for “Jesse Watters Primetime” confronted Geter-Pataky as she was getting out of her vehicle. Geter-Pataky offered no comment to the correspondent.
In remarks captured by Fox News following the 2023 situation, Connecticut Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont dismissed claims the “potential corruption” was caused by the introduction of early voting and expanded absentee balloting.
“I think it’s people who do the corrupting,” Lamont said.
Fox News Digital reached out to Castillo and the Connecticut Democratic Party for comment. Attempts to reach Geter-Pataky were not successful.
Chief Connecticut State’s Attorney Patrick J. Griffin said in a statement that three of the four defendants were also charged with witness tampering in the current case.
“Integrity of our voting process is vital to our democracy,” Griffin said. “I appreciate the attention and time the Statewide Prosecution Bureau put into these investigations. I hope these prosecutions will send a message that deters tampering with election results in the future in Connecticut.”
Griffin noted all four are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Boston, MA
PICK IS IN: WR Lewis Bond from Boston College drafted at No. 204 overall
Two offensive picks bookend a linebacker and a safety on Day 3 as the Texans selected WR Lewis Bond out of Boston College with pick No. 204 in the 6th round of the draft.
At just over 5-10 and 190 pounds, Bond hauled in 213 receptions during his time at BC.
In 2025 he was fourth in the nation with 7.3 receptions per game and finished with 993 yards.
Former BC QB Thomas Castellanos called Bond an unbelievable receiver who can do it all. Castellanos described Bond as a very physical receiver who can make plays in space and break tackles, adding that he was open a lot and could have been targeted even more.
Pittsburg, PA
Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 NFL Draft grades: TE Riley Nowakowski
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Indiana tight end Riley Nowakowski in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Our staff weighs in with their thoughts on the pick.
Ryland Bickley: Here’s your TE3/FB for Mike McCarthy. Nowakowski probably would’ve been a “my guy” in this draft class if I had been able to watch him more. He’s an extremely high-effort run blocker with solid mobility who should be able to find a role on offense right away. Nowakowski is a bit undersized for a tight end and his testing is just OK, but as a fullback I like the pick. We can quibble a bit with taking a returner and fullback with the team’s latest two picks, but in the fifth round you can’t complain about good football players. Grade: B+
Mike Nicastro: Nowakowski is a perfect replacement for Connor Heyward because of his versatility. He’ll play tight end, fullback, and can contribute on special teams. He played a pivotal role on Indiana’s National Championship run – the guy just feels like a winner. Although it still feels like a pick based more on need opposed to value, I like this one much better than Wetjen. Grade: B+
Alex Hanczar: Pittsburgh adds yet another big school player in the form of 2026 National Champion Riley Nowakowski. The departures of Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward led many to believe the Steelers would add depth at the position and here it is. Aside from solely playing TE, Nowakowksi will likely fill the Heyward role at the FB position. At 6-foot-two 250 pounds, I would not be surprised to see the former Hoosier lineup under center for the ‘tush push’ for the black and gold. Grade: B
Joey Bray: Welcome back Connor Heyward. In all seriousness, Riley Nowakowski is an interesting pick for the Steelers. They needed to take another tight end, but Nowakowski is more of a fullback type. He played a blocking role for Indiana last year when he did line up a tight end, although he’s 32 catches last season were more than he had in his previous four collegiate seasons combined. Nowakowski isn’t particularly fast or dynamic and doesn’t have the size to be a legit receiving threat. He is a good football player and it makes sense that Mike McCarthy would take a fullback, but taking a return man and fullback back-to-back in the mid rounds is an curious use of resources. Grade: C-
Ryan Parish: As harsh as I was on using a 4th rounder on a kick returner-only player, I’m to the moon for this selection. I highlighted Nowakowski in my Tight End draft gems list as a perfect fit for the John Kuhn/Hunter Luepke FB role in Mike McCarthy’s offense. Nowakowski is short for a tight end but perfect for a blocker for a power run scheme. He’s also gotta decent hands and tackle-breaking ability for underneath routes that should make Aaron Rodgers happy. This was a meat and potatoes pick, and yet another sign that the Steelers are veering into a gap/power running scheme. Phenomenal fit. Grade: A++
Jarrett Bailey: The Steelers were always going to take a tight end, being that they released Jonnu Smith and didn’t bring back Connor Heyward. Nowakowski will play that Heyward role. Special teams and No. 3 tight end/fullback. Not great. Not abysmal. Fine. Grade: C
Connecticut
Rain showers slowly spread east today and tonight
Temperatures will warm into the 50s for much of the state unless you’re at the shoreline or near the New York border.
Rain showers will begin in southwest Connecticut this afternoon before slowly spreading to the east through the evening
Much of the state will see rain tonight unless you’re in the far northeast corner of Connecticut.
A few showers could linger in southern and southeastern Connecticut tomorrow morning.
Clouds will linger through much of Sunday with temperatures in the 50s for more of the state.
Monday and Tuesday will be sunnier and seasonal with temperatures well into the 60s.
Cloud cover and rain chances return by the middle of the week.
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