In another case that lends credence to the saying "every accusation is an admission," a Georgia GOP candidate and vocal supporter of former Republican President Donald Trump's Big Lie about the 2020 election is being investigated for voter fraud.
Conservative host of his own YouTube channel—FetchYourNewsTV.com—Brian Pritchard allegedly voted illegally nine times while serving a felony conviction for $33,000 of forgery and theft.
Pritchard is a current candidate for a seat in Georgia's state House of Representatives in a special election after the death of House Speaker David Ralston in November.
Georgia attorney general's office in a filing Thursday cited Pritchard voted nine times in Georgia elections while serving his felony sentence in Pennsylvania. Georgia law prohibits felons from voting.
The Georgia AG filed their complaint with the Office of State Administrative Hearings.
Pritchard plans to run against fellow Republican Sheree Ralston—Speaker Ralston’s widow—for the open state House seat in the Blue Ridge area in northeast Georgia.
In response to the attorney general’s filing, Pritchard told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
"I will not be intimidated."
Pritchard had no further comment on the potential election fraud.
Campaign spokesperson for Sheree Ralston, Jen Talaber Ryan, stated:
"Sheree Ralston brings dignity and integrity to this campaign and would serve her constituents with the utmost honesty and respect."
Ralston is executive director of the Fannin County Development Authority.
Her campaign platform includes expanding mental healthcare and addiction treatment programs in northern Georgia.
In 1996, Pritchard pleaded guilty to three felonies in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. His sentence was probation and restitution.
In 2008, Pritchard registered to vote in Georgia. His felony sentence didn't end until 2011 resulting in him voting nine times while still completing his felony sentence.
On his online talk show, Pritchard shared false claims and conspiracy theories—parroting Donald Trump and his acolytes—about the results of the 2020 presidential election. He also criticized fellow Republicans Governor Brian Kemp and Attorney General Chris Carr, calling them "complicit" in President Joe Biden’s win in Georgia.
Last year Pritchard’s attorney told the Georgia State Election Board his client wasn't aware he was a felon when he registered and voted in the state.
State Election Board member Matt Mashburn said in the February 2021 meeting:
"The system is not set up for people to do whatever they want and us to catch them."
"It’s for people to abide by the law."
The board then referred the case to the state AG for further review.
People have accused the Georgia government of unequal justice.
Remember with MAGA it’s always projection
Always about everything
The louder they scream about something the more likely it is they are doing it, have done it or really want to do it
This is ALWAYS true
— Boomdrummer (@Boomdrummer2) December 6, 2022
After their investigation, the Georgia attorney general’s office have requested a hearing before an administrative judge in Fannin County where Pritchard lives during the week of January 9. This falls after the special election for House District 7 on January 3.
If the judge rules Pritchard committed voter fraud, he faces up to $45,000 in fines—$5,000 for each violation. But the judge's ruling would be a civil, not criminal, matter and wouldn't disqualify Pritchard from serving in the Georgia House of Representatives.
If criminal charges are brought and Pritchard is convicted of a felony for voting illegally, he would be disqualified from office.
However local prosecutors have as yet declined to bring criminal charges against Pritchard.
