SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — One of the 76 Floridians charged in relation to the assault on the United States Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, which stemmed from misinformation from the presidential election results has been given new authority over upcoming elections.
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John M. Nassif, 56, of Seminole County, was indicted in federal court last year for entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct. FBI agents said Nassif entered the Capitol during the attack, providing pictures showing him in the rotunda and screen shots of social media posts where he discussed his experience. He faces up to a year in prison if convicted.
That didn’t stop the Seminole County Republican Party from appointing Nassif as poll watching chair for election day, a position that tasks him with vetting and assembling a list of candidate poll watchers to submit to the county election office ahead of upcoming elections. The appointment was announced through a party email blast.
READ: Capitol riot panel: Trump to blame for 1/6 ‘attempted coup’
Nassif declined to comment or answer any questions about his appointment Thursday, including questions about his expectations for the watchers he will oversee and whether his legal troubles could interfere with his ability to carry out his duties. He also declined to say whether he’d defend the integrity of elections that his preferred candidates lose if his watchers do not raise any flags.
In the past, he has declined to talk about his case, calling reporters who questioned him as he walked out of the federal courthouse “pathetic” and “leeches.”
Seminole County Republican Party leaders and the county supervisor of elections also declined to comment Thursday.
EXPLAINER: Hundreds charged with crimes in Capitol attack
The area is no stranger to political controversy. Last month, the Republican Party leader was charged in connection to the “ghost candidate” controversy. State attorneys allege that a third-party candidate was recruited and funded by Republicans to siphon votes away from a Democratic state Senate candidate, helping their Republican rival win.
Ghost candidates aren’t illegal, the attorneys noted. The trio of defendants were charged with campaign finance-related crimes instead.
Takeaways: Jan. 6 panel says Trump led ‘brazen’ conspiracy
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