The Nassau County District Attorney's office has launched a criminal investigation into alleged ballot tampering during a Hempstead Union Free School District election. The probe centers on claims that a school clerk intentionally destroyed voter ballots to help the incumbent board president, Victor Pratt, also known as DJ Vic-Lover, secure reelection.
District Attorney Anne Donnelly's office confirmed the investigation into Hempstead Union Free School District Clerk April Keys and Pratt. According to an internal school district probe, Keys allegedly tore up official ballots and disposed of them in a dumpster to influence the May school board election results. Evidence suggests Pratt was present, arriving at the clerk's office the night before the election carrying a folder of ballots.
An internal report released in June by the school district detailed alleged irregularities that benefited Pratt. He won his race by 81 votes, with a disproportionately high number of absentee and early mail ballots contributing to his victory. The report indicated Pratt finished third in in-person machine voting but secured 87% of absentee votes and 55% of early mail votes, while other candidates received very few absentee and early mail ballots combined.
Investigators recovered torn-up ballots from a dumpster, which were allegedly discarded by Keys with the assistance of custodian Owen Peters and Pratt.
Following the findings of the internal probe, the New York State Education Department intervened. The state ordered a new election, scheduled for August 17, and appointed Neil Boyd, superintendent for Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES, as a temporary clerk to oversee the process. April Keys was placed on administrative leave three days after the election.
The investigation is ongoing, and the District Attorney's office has declined to comment further on the specifics of the case.
