EATONVILLE, Fla. — A former Eatonville Town Council candidate who investigators said admitted she helped voters fill out absentee ballots is running for mayor.
Frances Sealey is one of three candidates vying for the seat in a special June election after Mayor Anthony Grant was suspended by Florida Gov. Rick Scott after he was indicted on election fraud charges.
Sealey told 9 Investigates she didn't know she was doing anything wrong.
Sealey said investigators assured her she would not be prosecuted, but the state said it has not decided if it will charge her and that she was not granted immunity before she talked to investigators under oath.
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Sealey originally avoided Channel 9's questions about helping voters fill out ballots. She then told 9 Investigates that if voters asked her who they should vote for, she would say, "Anthony, Frances and Theo."
"I don't remember that happening too much. If it did it might have happened one, two, (or) three times," Sealey said.
Sealey said she told investigators that Grant had paid for her campaign brochure and for her photo in it. She said his officer served as her campaign central.
"I did not look at it like he's just an individual paying for my part," Sealey said.
WFTV political analyst Rick Foglesong said it raises questions about whether she was or is an independent candidate. Sealey assured 9 Investigates she is.
"I really do feel Mr. Grant knows me. He knows what I stand for. He knows that I'm for what is right. He's not ever (going to) approach me like that," Sealey said.
Sealey said she wants nothing to do with absentee ballots.
Former Eatonville Mayor Bruce Mount, who is also a Channel 9 employee, and town councilman Eddie Cole are running for the seat as well.
The election will be held June 18.