Skid Row’s Cash-for-Ballots Scheme

Discovery Institute has joined up with Frontlines Turning Point USA, O’Keefe Media Group, and other independent journalists in a multi-part investigation into a cash-for-ballots scheme in Los Angeles’ Skid Row. Jonathan Choe and Kevin Dahlgren help expose the exploitation of the homeless, the theft of the identities of innocent Americans, and the violation of state law in some of America’s most crime-ridden streets.

Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles is one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in America, a human dumping ground infested with crime, open-air drug use, and unimaginable suffering on virtually every block.

“This is hell on Earth,” I commented at one point.

This chaos is also what allows alleged fraudsters to blend in and prey on the most vulnerable.

In this Frontlines Turning Point USA multi-part investigation with O’Keefe Media Group, Discovery Institute, and other independent journalists, Cam Higby and I went undercover and witnessed multiple instances of ballot initiative workers paying cash to homeless drug addicts for their signatures, a felony-level crime according to California law.

“Every single homeless person on Skid Row that we asked is aware that this is happening,” said Higby.

But this guy took it to another level.

“Are you registered to vote?” one ballot initiative worker asked.

“No,” I responded.

He wanted us to sign these initiatives using other people’s names and home addresses, which is identity fraud, another felony.

“My name’s Jon,” I told him.

“No, no, no, don’t you put that name,” he told me.

When I showed hesitation, listen to what he had to say:

“This isn’t conflicting with your morals, is it?”

Did you hear that?

“This isn’t conflicting with your morals, is it?”

Since we do have morals, instead of signing, our team immediately notified authorities, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta. They responded by saying this would be investigated.

“These people are just continuing the cycle of harm and suffering on these people so they can manipulate them for political gain,” Higby observed.

As for some of these victims of identity fraud, we’ve learned some of the names and addresses belong to real people in San Bernadino County, a two-hour drive from Skid Row.

“Your name, address, and information is floating all around Skid Row right now,” I told Angela Nitchy. “They’re targeting vulnerable homeless people.”

Angela Nitchy lives in a picturesque farming community surrounded by horses and lush fruit orchards, a far cry from the urban decay and street hustlers operating without a conscience.

“What else are they doing with my name?” she asked me.

Nitchy says she did not give anyone permission to use her information.

“It’s totally identity theft,” she said, “and this is my livelihood.”

“How do you think they got your name and your address and all your info out there?” I asked.

“I have no idea,” she told me. “I have no idea.”

“Well, I’m sorry your info’s out there, I just wanted to let you guys know.”

Several miles away, Sean Chairez Cabral is in total disbelief and wants to know how his information ended up in the wrong hands.

“You didn’t give anyone permission?” I asked.

“No, no, not at all,” he responded. “It’s crazy cuz like, what can you really do, right?”

In total, we managed to make contact with seven people, but there are still dozens of other victims whose names and addresses are being used for alleged fraud.

“What I was so surprised with was how out in the open that they were about it,” attorney Elizabeth Mitchell told us.

Mitchell is following our investigation and says criminals have used Skid Row as their playground for years.

“They know that they can act with impunity,” she explained. “There’s not a huge law enforcement presence in Skid Row.”

This lack of enforcement and danger factor offers the perfect cover in this lawless environment.

Discovery Institute journalist Kevin Dahlgren joined us for the second half of this trip to document the scale of this cash-for-ballots scheme. He was also bribed with a few bucks for his signature, but refused to sign.

“This was all coordinated,” he said.

After several days, Dahlgren says the deception and cheating for political gain is off the charts.

“Of course they’re being targeted,” he explained, “because they’re on drugs and mentally ill. For them, this is easy.”

And very few seemed to care.

“I’m getting tired of people exploiting the homeless like this.”