2 charged in Bridgeport election cases reject plea deals, head to trial
Two people who are facing election-related charges in Bridgeport both rejected plea offers in court on Tuesday.
Wanda Geter-Pataky also rejected a plea offer. Her proposed agreement called for an eight-year sentence, suspended after three years, followed by three years of probation.
Bridgeport City Councilman Alfredo Castillo rejected an offer that called for an eight-year sentence, suspended after 2 1/2 years, followed by three years of probation.
Both cases will now move toward trial.
Geter-Pataky and Castillo are among several people charged in connection with investigations into absentee ballot handling in Bridgeport elections.
Geter-Pataky was seen on surveillance video allegedly putting stacks of absentee ballots into a drop box. Castillo is accused of filling out another voter’s ballot.
Geter-Pataky faces charges stemming from both the 2019 and 2023 elections. Castillo faces charges connected to the 2019 Democratic mayoral primary.
Geter-Pataky is facing a total of 500 years, if convicted in all charges.
Another current city council member, Maria Pereira, was also scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
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