Fact Check: "Steven Kramer faced 11 counts of voter suppression and 11 counts of impersonating a political candidate in a consolidated trial following the robocalls."
What We Know
Steven Kramer, a political consultant, was indicted on charges related to voter suppression and impersonation of a candidate due to his involvement in sending out AI-generated robocalls that mimicked former President Joe Biden. According to the New Hampshire Attorney General's announcement, Kramer faced 13 felony counts of voter suppression and 13 misdemeanor counts of impersonation of a candidate (source-1). The charges were based on allegations that he sent misleading messages to voters, suggesting they should save their votes for the November election rather than participate in the January 2024 primary (source-2).
The trial began in June 2024, where the prosecution highlighted the seriousness of the charges, emphasizing that Kramer's actions constituted a significant threat to the integrity of the electoral process (source-2). Ultimately, the jury acquitted Kramer of all charges, finding him not guilty of both voter suppression and impersonation (source-3).
Analysis
The claim that "Steven Kramer faced 11 counts of voter suppression and 11 counts of impersonating a political candidate" is misleading. While it is true that Kramer faced serious charges, the actual counts were 13 felony counts of voter suppression and 13 misdemeanor counts of impersonation of a candidate (source-1). The confusion may stem from the fact that the charges were consolidated into a single trial, but the specific numbers cited in the claim are incorrect.
The sources used in this analysis are credible, including official statements from the New Hampshire Attorney General's office and reputable news outlets such as the Associated Press and CBS News. These sources provide a clear understanding of the legal proceedings and the nature of the charges against Kramer (source-2, source-3). The Attorney General's office is a primary source of information regarding the charges, while the news articles offer context and updates on the trial's outcome.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The claim that Steven Kramer faced 11 counts of voter suppression and 11 counts of impersonating a political candidate is inaccurate. The correct information is that he faced 13 counts of each charge. This discrepancy is significant and highlights the importance of verifying details in legal matters.
Sources
- Steven Kramer Charged with Voter Suppression Over AI ...
- Steve Kramer, who sent AI robocalls mimicking Biden, goes on trial | AP ...
- Consultant acquitted of AI robocall voter suppression charges
- Political operative who admitted to creating fake Biden robocalls found ...
- New Hampshire robocall trial: Steven Kramer faces charges - WMUR
- New Hampshire jury acquits consultant behind AI robocalls ...