Shaker Heights attorney gets 3 years in prison for election fraud

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CLEVELAND — A Shaker Heights attorney who illegally voted twice in multiple elections will spend the next three years behind bars.

James Saunders, 56, received the maximum prison sentenced after being convicted last week of felony election fraud charges. Additionally, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Andrew J. Santoli on Monday ordered him to pay a $10,000 fine, also the maximum penalty allowed under Ohio law.

Prosecutors say Saunders first cast an early in-person ballot in Cuyahoga County in 2020 before later voting again in Florida on Election Day. He then voted by mail in Florida in 2022 before again casting an in-person ballot in Cuyahoga County, with his signature matching up to all ballots involved.

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According to officials, Saunders also voted twice in the 2014 and 2016 general elections. However, he could not be arrested for those crimes since the statute of limitations had run out.

"One person one vote is the foundation of our democracy," Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O'Malley said in a statement. "James Saunders is a licensed attorney and he intentionally violated those rights when he voted multiple times in multiple elections. He clearly knew better but violated the law anyway. I think the message is clear — do not commit election fraud in Cuyahoga County."

3News Investigates previously learned that Saunders, a former lawyer for the IRS and U.S. Department of the Treasury, was not affiliated with any party in Ohio but was registered as a Republican in Florida with a Pompeo Beach address. Federal Election Commission records show he has made multiple donations over the last several years to former President Donald Trump's campaigns as well as other GOP-linked causes.