Voter Fraud Charges Investigated

November 8, 1996
By: David Freitas
State Capital Bureau

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating allegations of voter fraud in a southeast Missouri.

David Freitas has the story from Jefferson City.

Story:
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

Published reports say the investigation focuses on the campaign of the senior member of the Missouri House, Gene Copeland.

Copeland says he knows nothing about allegations of voter fraud made against him.

The Associated Press reports that voters allegedly received coupons from campaign volunteers that allowed the person to acquire liquor at a convienence store.

In return for the coupon, voters allegedly cast their lot for Copeland.

But Copeland says its all an attmept at a character assasination by the Republicans.

Actuality:
RunTime: 10
OutCue: "...what not to do."
Contents: [141K WAV file - Copeland says that after 36 years, he knows the difference between running a campaign and what not to do.]

The Secretary of State's office reports that it is cooperating fully with the F-B-I to investigate the allegations.


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