A Philadelphia man faces serious charges alleging he illegally cast a ballot in the recent presidential election, and in four previous ones, despite a deportation order issued over two decades ago. Mahady Sacko, 50, is accused of falsely claiming U.S. citizenship each time he voted, a deliberate act with potentially significant consequences.
Federal prosecutors claim Sacko’s voting history stretches back to 2008, encompassing multiple primary and general elections. The alleged scheme involved both in-person voting and a mail-in ballot during the 2020 primary, consistently built on the false assertion of citizenship.
The case began to unfold with an investigation by an FBI special agent who meticulously reviewed Pennsylvania’s voting records. These records reportedly revealed a pattern of registrations and votes cast by Sacko, despite his long-standing deportation order.
Sacko initially entered the United States in 1998, arriving in Miami. Just two years later, an Immigration Judge ordered his removal back to Mauritania. This decision was upheld on appeal, yet Sacko remained in the country, defying the legal mandate.
Efforts to enforce the deportation order proved frustratingly difficult. Immigration authorities discovered Sacko lacked a current passport from Mauritania, hindering their ability to return him to his country of origin. He was placed under supervision, required to regularly report to immigration officials.
Despite being under an order of deportation and regularly checking in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Sacko allegedly registered to vote as early as 2005. This act, investigators say, laid the groundwork for years of alleged fraudulent voting.
If convicted, Sacko could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The case highlights the complexities of enforcing immigration laws and maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
Records indicate Sacko was registered to vote as a Democrat. The investigation continues to uncover the full extent of the alleged scheme and the motivations behind it.
The ongoing legal proceedings will determine whether Sacko knowingly and intentionally violated election laws, and whether his continued presence in the U.S. despite a deportation order played a role in his alleged actions.
